EPHEDRINE & PSEUDOEPHEDRINE; ALLOWABLE GRAMS                                    S.B. 170:

                                                                                 SUMMARY OF INTRODUCED BILL

                                                                                                         IN COMMITTEE

Senate Bill 170 (as introduced 3-7-19)

Sponsor:  Senator Ed McBroom

Committee:  Health Policy and Human Services

Date Completed:  10-1-19

CONTENT

The bill would amend Part 177 (Pharmacy Practice and Drug Control) of the Public Health Code to prohibit a person from doing the following:

-- Purchasing more than 7.2 grams of ephedrine or pseudoephedrine alone or in a mixture within a 30-day period.

-- Purchasing more than 61.2 grams of ephedrine or pseudoephedrine alone or in a mixture within a single calendar year.

The bill would take effect 90 days after its enactment.

Currently, the Code prohibits a person from, among other things, purchasing more than nine grams of ephedrine or pseudoephedrine alone or in a mixture within a 30-day period. The bill instead would prohibit a person from purchasing more than 7.2 grams of ephedrine or pseudoephedrine alone or in a mixture within a 30-day period.

In addition, the bill would prohibit a person from purchasing more than 61.2 grams of ephedrine or pseudoephedrine alone or in a mixture within a single calendar year.

BACKGROUND

Ephedrine is a decongestant often used for temporary relief of shortness of breath, chest tightness, and wheezing due to asthma. Pseudoephedrine is a decongestant and in higher doses, can be used as a stimulant. Ephedrine and pseudoephedrine are over-the-counter drugs, however, to purchase pseudoephedrine, a person must present identification and record their purchase with a pharmacy. Pseudoephedrine can be used to synthesize methamphetamine, a schedule II drug that is a highly addictive and often abused stimulant that affects a person's central nervous system.

MCL 333.17766c                                                      Legislative Analyst:  Tyler VanHuyse

FISCAL IMPACT

The bill would have a negative fiscal impact on the State and local government. New misdemeanor arrests and convictions under the bill could increase resource demands on law enforcement, court systems, community supervision, and jails. However, it is unknown how many people would be prosecuted under the bill's provisions. Any additional revenue from imposed fines would go to local libraries.

                                                                                      Fiscal Analyst:  Joe Carrasco

This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan Senate staff for use by the Senate in its deliberations and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.