New meth law takes effect

Staff Reports

Nevada's new law governing the sale of materials used in the manufacture of methamphetamine goes into effect today.

The 2007 Nevada Legislature passed Assembly Bill 148 which restricts the sale of pharmaceuticals containing precursor materials used in the manufacture of methamphetamine and other controlled substances.

The new statute:

-- Prohibits a person from: selling or transferring in the course of business a product that is a precursor to methamphetamine; or engaging in the business of selling at retail a product that is a precursor to methamphetamine, unless the person is a pharmacist.

-- Requires sellers of a product that contains certain materials that can be used to manufacture methamphetamine to keep the product in a locked case or cabinet or behind a store counter so that the public does not have direct access.

-- Establishes limits on the quantity of certain chemicals that can be sold to the same person during a calendar day.

-- Requires sellers of a product that contains materials that can be used to manufacture methamphetamine to maintain a logbook of sales and transfers of the product and to ensure that certain information is entered in the logbook.

-- Requires a pharmacy that becomes aware of any unusual or excessive loss or disappearance of a product that is a precursor to methamphetamine to report the loss or disappearance.

-- Prohibits the possession or disposition of chemical waste or debris resulting from the manufacture of methamphetamine. Violators are subject to a category C felony.

-- Provides that a person commits first degree arson if, by knowingly engaging in the manufacture of methamphetamine, the person sets fire to or causes an explosion that damages a dwelling house or personal property that is occupied by one or more people.