witchlinblue
04-20-2005, 10:02 PM
Bill restricting cold medicine sales on way to Schweitzer
By JARED MILLER
Tribune Capitol Bureau
HELENA — A bill that would restrict the sale of an over-the-counter cold pill used in small-time methamphetamine production is on its way to the governor's desk for a signature.
House Bill 287 passed both houses of the Legislature on Tuesday with an amendment intended to ease a perceived burden the bill could have on rural Montanans.
Attorney General Mike McGrath said that, even with the amendment, the bill is "one of the best pseudo bills in the country."
"This will obviously make a difference as far as the number of clandestine meth labs we have in Montana," McGrath said.
The bill will limit the sale of pseudoephedrine cold pills to licensed pharmacies. It also will require pharmacists to keep the medicine behind the counter and keep close tabs on who is buying the drug.
Customers will be required to show a valid ID to buy the pills. The bill also limits the number of pills that can be purchased to about 300 a month.
The law will not restrict the sale of liquid or gel-cap medicine containing pseudoephedrine.
Some critics of the bill said it would create a hardship in counties without pharmacies. As a result, the House and Senate adopted an amendment that allows retailers in those areas to apply for the right to carry the drug in their stores.
Methamphetamine addiction has grown into a major problem in Montana during the last half decade. Meth addicts are a burden for police departments, county jails, and state prison system, and they cost state taxpayers millions of dollars.
Most of the meth in Montana comes from out-of-state "super labs," but about 20 percent is generated at clandestine labs inside the state.
Faced with a similar problem, Oklahoma enacted restrictions on the sale of pseudoephedrine pills. That state reported an 80 percent drop in the number of meth lab busts. Many other states followed suit.
Gov. Brian Schweitzer is expected to sign the bill, which would take affect on July 1, 2005.
By JARED MILLER
Tribune Capitol Bureau
HELENA — A bill that would restrict the sale of an over-the-counter cold pill used in small-time methamphetamine production is on its way to the governor's desk for a signature.
House Bill 287 passed both houses of the Legislature on Tuesday with an amendment intended to ease a perceived burden the bill could have on rural Montanans.
Attorney General Mike McGrath said that, even with the amendment, the bill is "one of the best pseudo bills in the country."
"This will obviously make a difference as far as the number of clandestine meth labs we have in Montana," McGrath said.
The bill will limit the sale of pseudoephedrine cold pills to licensed pharmacies. It also will require pharmacists to keep the medicine behind the counter and keep close tabs on who is buying the drug.
Customers will be required to show a valid ID to buy the pills. The bill also limits the number of pills that can be purchased to about 300 a month.
The law will not restrict the sale of liquid or gel-cap medicine containing pseudoephedrine.
Some critics of the bill said it would create a hardship in counties without pharmacies. As a result, the House and Senate adopted an amendment that allows retailers in those areas to apply for the right to carry the drug in their stores.
Methamphetamine addiction has grown into a major problem in Montana during the last half decade. Meth addicts are a burden for police departments, county jails, and state prison system, and they cost state taxpayers millions of dollars.
Most of the meth in Montana comes from out-of-state "super labs," but about 20 percent is generated at clandestine labs inside the state.
Faced with a similar problem, Oklahoma enacted restrictions on the sale of pseudoephedrine pills. That state reported an 80 percent drop in the number of meth lab busts. Many other states followed suit.
Gov. Brian Schweitzer is expected to sign the bill, which would take affect on July 1, 2005.