A law aimed at prevent the illegal manufacturers of methamphetamines from buying a key ingredient may actually be helping some of them avoid prosecution. A state lawmaker is proposing a change he hopes will close the loophole.
A 2005 state law restricted purchases of products containing Pseudoephedrine to no more than 7.5 grams in a 30 day period. However, it included an exemption for products purchased directly from a pharmacy or pharmacist.
As a result, state Representative Andy Jorgensen (D-Fort Atkinson) says some meth makers have been able to travel to multiple pharmacies and buy their maximum amount from each. Jorgensen says he’s heard from law enforcement and prosecutors that charging those individuals has proven difficult because of the way the law is currently written.
The Fort Atkinson Democrat has introduced a bill that would remove the exemption. He says it’s unknown why it was included in the original law, but it needs to be addressed.
The bill is awaiting a legislative hearing.
