House bill tightens Combat Meth Act
This article was originally published in The Tan Sheet
Executive Summary
Rep. Bart Gordon, D-Tenn., introduces the Combat Methamphetamine Enhancement Act of 2009, H.R. 2923, June 17. The legislation strengthens enforcement of the Combat Methamphetamine Act of 2006, which requires behind-the-counter sales of OTC products containing meth precursors pseudoephedrine and ephedrine, for consumers to show identification at points of sale and for retailers to log sales. It is a companion bill to legislation the Senate passed June 8 (1"The Tan Sheet" June 15, 2009). Both bills require retailers selling the products to self-certify -- using Drug Enforcement Administration guidelines -- that they have trained staff on Combat Meth Act compliance and for distributors to sell only to retailers registered with DEA. NACDS applauds: The National Association of Chain Drug Stores says it supports the legislation in a letter July 7 to Gordon. "These provisions will help prevent the diversion of ... products for illegitimate purposes, while still allowing consumers with legitimate needs to access" the drugs, NACDS President and CEO Steven Anderson said