May 13, 2005

Without a Prescription but with an ID

Soon when you are suffering from a cold or allergies you'll need to have some photo ID ready when you march to the pharmacist. In an example of the Wisconsin GOP inconviencing just about everybody they passed a bill to limit and track sales of non-prescription medicines that contain pseudoephedrine, an ingredient used in the making of methamphetamine. Stuff like Sudafed while technically considered "over-the-counter" will soon be behind the counter.

Because of the bill's wording some medicines won't be stashed behind the counter. Products containing pseudoephedrine in a liquid form are exempt. That's fine for some, but many depend on the popular Sudafed. Unintentionally, the state legislature is playing doctor and economic favorites. And if meth makers find a way to use liquids state authorities will slap restrictions on all pseudoephedrine products.

What really disturbs be is how this bill passed a Republican-controlled legislature with hardly no opposition. Rep. Kitty Rhoades, a Republican, sponsored the bill and it sailed through the Senate with no opposition (thanks for nothing Sen. Grothman) and only six representatives opposed it in the State Assembly. This is the same party that cries out about limiting government through TABOR, but expands it because they can't think of anything besides quasi-prohibition to fight the methamphetamine problem.

"Bill Limits Sale of Cold Medicines Used to Make Meth" [via BBA]