NASHVILLE – Senate disagreement today over how best to combat illegal production of methamphetamine in Tennessee resulted in the forced delay of a proposed electronic tracking system.
Senators voted 18-12 to delay the measure, sponsored by Sen. Mae Beavers, R-Mt. Juliet, for a week.
The system is being promoted by pharmaceutical manufacturers and the Tennessee Pharmacists Association, who don’t want to see cold medicine made with pseudoephedrine – one of the key ingredients in meth – turned into prescription-only drugs.
Some lawmakers, however, supported that plan.
During debate, Sen. Randy McNally, R-Oak Ridge, a pharmacist, said the industry-backed tracking bill doesn’t appear to solve Tennessee’s meth problems.