LANSING, Mich. — Legislation that would help combat the spread of methamphetamine abuse in Michigan was approved by the state Senate on Wednesday.
Senate Bills 170 and 599, sponsored by Sen. Ed McBroom, would place restrictions on the amount of ephedrine or pseudoephedrine a person may purchase per month and per year.
“Meth abuse and addiction has been absolutely devasting, particularly in rural communities in the U.P. and throughout our state and country,” said McBroom, R-Vulcan. “Limiting the amount of this key meth ingredient that a person can purchase will help combat this modern day epidemic, while still allowing for its intended use to treat people with allergy symptoms.”
The bills would reduce the amount a person may purchase over the counter from 9 grams to 7.2 grams per month and would cap the amount someone could purchase in a year at 61.2 grams.
The adjusted limits would allow for cold- and allergy-suffering Michiganders to retain the necessary amounts they need to make it through two allergy seasons in a year and align with allowable amounts that may be taken currently. Should a larger dosage be required, a prescription may be ordered.
“Meth abuse and addiction affects people from all walks of life, and combating its spread is something that we can all agree on,” McBroom said. “That’s why I worked so hard on this issue with my friend and former colleague, the late Representative John Kivela. These bills were the conclusion of his work and will always be a part of his legacy.
“I know that getting these bills signed into law would have made him proud, because he cared so much for the well-being of his fellow Upper Peninsula residents. I am hopeful that the House of Representatives will approve the bills, and the governor signs them, soon.”
SBs 170 and 599 now advance to the state House of Representatives for consideration.
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