Similar legislation has passed or is pending in more than a dozen other cities and counties in California. At issue are the legal chemicals ephedrine and pseudoephedrine that are found in dozens of sinus medications as well as in some diet pills and energy boosters. Amateur chemists turn them into methamphetamine by combining them with such ingredients as battery acid and red phosphorous from road flares.
Observers say that retailers and drug makers are in a bind.
If they oppose restrictions, they are open to accusations of profiting from illegal drugs. Retailers are already obliged to report to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration bulk sales of the products if they contain chemicals they believe will be used to synthesize meth.