Methamphetamine Legislation - SB 63

Senate Bill 63 became effective June 20, 2005.   Under the new law:

• It will be more difficult for criminals to get pseudoephedrine – the key ingredient for meth production and a common component in over-the-counter cold and allergy medicines.
  
  • Only stores with pharmacies will be permitted to dispense the tablets containing pseudoephedrine.
  • They will be required to keep the tablets in a secure location, such as behind the pharmacy counter or in a locked case, and only pharmacists and pharmacists’ technicians will be allowed to distribute the pseudoephedrine tablets.
  • Customers will be allowed to purchase up to 9 grams of pseudoephedrine in tablet form (approximately 300 tablets) in a 30-day period.
  • Customers will be required to present photo identification and provide their name and address in a logbook to obtain the tablets.
  • Gel caps and liquids are rarely used to make meth and will not be affected by the new legislation.
    
    
• It will be a felony to expose children to meth labs.
  
  
• Law enforcement will be allowed to charge individuals with manufacturing meth if they show intent to make the drug and possess two or more chemicals or items of equipment necessary for its production. Previously, the law only permitted officers to charge a person with manufacturing meth if the individual possessed all of the chemicals and equipment needed to cook the drug.

This legislation forces Internet pharmacies to register with the Kentucky Board of Pharmacy to do business in the state.

• Requiring Internet pharmacies to use a drug tracking system commonly known as KASPER.
  
• Allowing for better tracking of prescription drug shipments
  
• Requiring people to have valid prescriptions to get an Internet pharmacy order filled.