Committee backs limits on sales of ephedrine

0 Comments | Deseret News (Salt Lake City), Jan 24, 2007

A Senate bill that would limit the amount of over-the-counter medications containing the drug ephedrine passed committee Tuesday.

SB112 would limit the purchase of certain cold and allergy medications to about two packages, or 3.6 grams, per purchase and limits total possession of those drugs to about 9 grams. The bill would also make it a crime to possess more than that allowed amount, making it a class B or A misdemeanor. Possessing drugs containing ephedrine with the intent to manufacture methamphetamine would be a second-degree felony with a mandatory three years and up to 15 years in prison.

Law enforcement officials say such over-the-counter drugs are bought in large quantities as a key ingredient to make methamphetamine.

The bill passed through the Senate Judiciary, Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Standing Committee with a unanimous vote. The bill's sponsor, Sen. Chris Buttars, R-West Jordan, said the bill would bring Utah's laws in line with existing federal law.