Lawmakers proposing limits on over-counter drug to hinder meth makers

Pseudoephedrine is essential for the home grown labs.

Lawmakers in Madison are tackling the growing problem of meth abuse in Wisconsin. Or, at least, the production of the drug.

A public hearing this week focused on more controls of pseudoephedrine, the key ingredient in making methamphetamine in home labs.

It’s meant as a way to prevent meth makers from hitting several drug stores to avoid hitting current limits on the cold medicine’s purchase.  

“This is one of the tools that I believe is needed in order to help fight this,” said State rep. Cody Horlacher, who is one of the sponsors of the legislation that essentially strengthens requirements for registering pseudoephedrine sales.

No such restrictions would be in place for prescription doses.  

“It’s easily accessible because it is over the counter,” Horlacher said. “There’s a very real threat here that people are picking up large amounts of pseudoephedrine undetected.”

Pseudoephedrine is essential for the home grown labs Horlacher said in arguing for his proposal.

“Some of the meth is imported,” he said. “Not all of it, particularly the startups. I’m sure it’s pretty easy to go online, YouTube how to do that.”

Horlacher’s bill would essentially make it harder for meth producers to dodge limits on the amount of pseudoephedrine they could buy within a certain time frame.