Peterson Reintroduces Bill to Combat “Meth Labs”

(WASHINGTON, D.C.) - In an effort to limit access to chemicals used in the illegal production of methamphetamines, Congressman Collin Peterson (D-7th Dist.) today introduced a bill that would eliminate a loophole in the sale of pseudoephedrine, a common ingredient used to make the drug.

“Our rural communities face numerous problems fighting illegal “meth labs” and this legislation is one of the ways we can combat those who make the drug,” Peterson said.

Current law has a retail sales limit of nine grams for most pseudoephedrine products; however, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) has indicated that those who manufacture methamphetamine often purchase pseudoephedrine in “blister packs” that are currently exempt from the nine-gram retail sales limit. Peterson’s legislation will eliminate this avenue for obtaining large quantities of pseudoephedrine.

“The use of methamphetamines has become pervasive in our country, and especially in rural areas,” Peterson said. “By closing this loophole, we intend to make it more difficult for illegal meth lab operators to get their ingredients.”

###