Some Tennessee cities and towns are debating or passing ordinances requiring a prescription to purchase cold and allergy medicines containing pseudoephedrine, a key ingredient in methamphetamine.GETTING ON BOARDSince the first of the year, these Tennessee towns have enacted or are enacting ordinances requiring a doctor’s prescription for pseudoephedrine-based cold medicine:* Passed: Winchester, Decherd, Huntland, Estill Springs, Cowan, Manchester and Monteagle.* In process: Tracy City, Altamont, Palmer, Decatur, Martin and Gleason.Source: Winchester Police Department
As more Tennessee municipalities pass ordinances requiring a doctor’s prescription for pseudoephedrine-based cold medicine, Manchester, Tenn., officials and a state advisory service are casting a wary eye on the new rules.
The city ordinance now passed in every municipality in Franklin County targets the retail sale of cold medicines that contain ephedrine or pseudoephedrine, the main ingredient in home-cooked methamphetamine.
Supporters of the ordinances say they answer a lack of action from state lawmakers, while others worry about the validity of civil rules that go after retailers. So far, no citations have been issued in towns where sales are restricted.
Current law requires buyers of the cold and allergy medicines to show a photo ID and sign a logbook that is submitted to the state. People may not buy more than 3.6 grams of pseudoephedrine per day or more than 9 grams over 30 days.