YEAR |
LEGISLATIVE ACTION |
REACTION |
1980 |
The federal government tightens restrictions on phenyl-2-propanone, used to make methamphetamine. |
Meth producers switch to ephedrine and pseudoephedrine, used in cold meds, to produce a more potent form of meth. |
1986 |
Fresh from its, and so far only, victory against a drug—control of the chemical used to make quaaludes—the Drug Enforcement Administration proposes controls for ephedrine and pseudoephedrine. |
Pharma lobbyist Allan Rexinger calls the White House, which “basically intervened on our behalf,” Rexinger tells the Oregonian in 2004. “After that we had useful negotiations with the dea.” |
1988 |
The Federal Chemical Diversion and Trafficking Act mandates recordkeeping for various drug precursor chemicals. Industry wins an exemption for ephedrine and pseudoephedrine in pill form. |
Meth producers and their suppliers switch to ephedrine and pseudoephedrine in pill form. |
1993 |
The Domestic Chemical Diversion and Control Act closes the ephedrine pill loophole, but pseudoephedrine exemption remains. |
Labs switch from ephedrine to pseudoephedrine pills. |
1996 |
The Comprehensive Methamphetamine Control Act closes the pseudoephedrine pill loophole. Industry, with help from Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-Utah), wins exemption for pills sold in blister packs. |
Labs switch to blister packs. |
2000 |
The Methamphetamine Anti-Proliferation Act reduces the amount of pseudoephedrine that can be sold in a single transaction. Blister packs are again exempted. |
Meth labs proliferate nationwide. |
2004 |
Oklahoma becomes the state to put pseudoephedrine behind the counter. Industry fights the measure. |
Meth labs plummet in Oklahoma, encouraging other states to follow suit. |
2005 |
The Federal Combat Methamphetamine Epidemic Act requires stores to put pseudoephedrine behind the counter (without requiring a prescription) and limits how much an individual can buy. Industry says this will hurt consumers and won’t reduce labs. |
Meth lab incidents fall 61 percent nationwide. But cooks begin employing smurfers to go from pharmacy to pharmacy and buy the maximum amount allowed. |
2006 |
Oregon makes pseudoephedrine a prescription drug despite massive industry lobbying. |
Meth lab incidents decrease 96 percent in Oregon over the next six years. |
2007 |
Bucking industry opposition, Mexico bans most pseudoephedrine. |
Potency of meth being smuggled into the US plunges as Mexican labs switch to other chemicals. |
2009 to present |
Lawmakers in 24 states try to make pseudoephedrine a prescription drug. In DC, Oregon Sen. Ron Wyden drafts a federal prescription bill. |
All but one of the bills are defeated. Citing consumer concerns and “heavy industry spending,” Wyden never introduces his legislation. |