LANSING, Mich. (AP) - Michigan lawmakers are trying to curb methamphetamine use by making it harder for certain people to buy its main ingredients.
The House passed bipartisan legislation Thursday to use a database to stop the sale of ephedrine or pseudoephedrine to people with meth convictions. The drugs are most commonly found in over-the-counter cough and cold medicines.
The legislation also criminalizes a practice known as smurfing, or making numerous purchases of the drugs to make meth. Soliciting someone for smurfing or possessing drugs that will be used to make meth would become felonies.
Bill sponsor Rep. John Kivela of Marquette says meth abuse is "a scourge in mainly rural areas" of Michigan. He says the bills try to keep over-the-counter drugs out of the wrong hands.
