Meth bill passed
Published 7:57 pm Sunday, April 22, 2012
The Alabama Legislature on Thursday gave final approval to House Bill 363 which gives law enforcement additional tools for fighting the meth epidemic.
The bill, which now awaits Gov. Robert Bentley’s signature, restricts where cold and allergy medicine containing ephedrine or pseudoephedrine may be sold. Cold and allergy medicine with ephedrine or pseudoephedrine will be sold only in stores with pharmacies, and they will be kept behind the counter. Convenience stores and other small retailers will no longer stock the medicines.
According to national crime statistics, Alabama police found 665 locations where meth was being made in 2010.
Already, consumers have to show an ID to purchase the medicine, but the bill limits the permissible IDs to state-issued driver’s license or non-driver IDs, military IDs and passports. The bill also reduces the amount that can be purchased in one month from 9 grams to 7.5 grams.