WASHINGTON, DC -- On Friday, Feb. 10, the U.S. Senate passed the controversial PATRIOT Act conference report that includes anti-meth language, reports the Associated Press.
The PATRIOT Act includes the Combat Meth Act, sponsored by Sens. Jim Talent (R-MO) and Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), which would limit the amount of medicines containing pseudoephedrine, the main ingredient of meth, retailers are allowed to sell.
Specifically, stores would be required to keep cold and allergy medicines that contain pseudoephedrine behind the counter and limit consumers to purchasing 3.6 grams (about 120 pills) per day and to 9 grams (about 300 pills) per month. Consumers would also have to show a valid photo ID and sign a logbook.
“NACS is pleased that we were able to negotiate reasonable legislation that does not discriminate against convenience store operators,” said NACS Senior Vice President of Government Relations Lyle Beckwith, adding that this anti-meth bill “is far superior to the original legislation that was passed out of the Senate.”