The Combat Methamphetamine Enhancement Act” (H.R. 2923), a bill introduced by Tennessee Congressman Bart Gordon, moved a step closer to becoming a reality yesterday when it passed the House Committee on Energy and Commerce. The bill now moves on to the full U.S. House of Representatives. Other Representatives supporting Gordon’s bill to tighten regulations on distributors and retail sellers include: Rep Baca, Joe [CA-43], Rep Boozman, John [AR-3] , Rep Bordallo, Madeleine Z. [GU] , Rep Carnahan, Russ [MO-3], Rep Carney, Christopher P. [PA-10], Rep Chandler, Ben [KY-6], Rep Cummings, Elijah E. [MD-7], Rep Davis, Lincoln [TN-4] , Rep Donnelly, Joe [IN-2], Rep Giffords, Gabrielle [AZ-8], Rep Hirono, Mazie K. [HI-2], Rep Matheson, Jim [UT-2], Rep McIntyre, Mike [NC-7], and Rep Peterson, Collin C. [MN-7], Rep Sensenbrenner, F. James, Jr. [WI-5], and Rep Wamp, Zach [TN-3]. The National Association of Chain Drug Stores; Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America;National Fraternal Order of Police; Healthcare Distribution Management Association; and the Consumer Healthcare Products Association are also supporting the bill.
“The Combat Methamphetamine Enhancement Act” (H.R. 2923) places restrictions on both distributors and retailers who sell products used in the illegal manufacture of methamphetamine. Under the current bill, retailers will need to self-certify that they are in compliance with regulations that limit the amount of products that can be sold to an individual. Distributors will also be required to limit the sale of their products to retailers who have registered with the DEA. Distributors who are caught selling to unregistered retailers will be fined. Congressman Gordon believes that “Reinforcing tough restrictions on retailers and distributors of these products will reduce the availability of meth in our communities”.
Although tightening restrictions on the sale of products used to manufacture is a step in reducing the number of meth labs in the U.S., Congressman Gordon understands that solving the meth lab problem in America is one that will require a collaborative approach. Gordon says, “There is no simple solution to solving the meth epidemic. We must come at this problem at the federal, state and community level.”
In 2007, Gordon authored the Methamphetamine Remediation Research Act, a law requiring the EPA to create clean-up standards for former meth labs, which provides states with “voluntary” cleanup guidelines that they “may follow” if they choose to. The MRRA does not require any state to follow the cleanup guidelines established by the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency).
Congressman Gordon has continued to fight the meth lab problem in his home state of Tennessee. He has successfully acquired over $1 million dollars in federal funding to help his state deal with their meth lab problem. The funds helped to support law enforcement agencies, juvenile drug court programs, and drug education programs in Tennessee public schools.
Resources:
Gordon’s Fight Against Meth Production Proceeds Through Congress, http://gordon.house.gov
Recent Comments