Tuesday, May 13, 2014

Democrat urges GOP Tenn. governor to veto lingering, watered-down version of meth bill

The leader of the Tennessee state Senate's Democratic minority is urging Republican Gov. Bill Haslam to veto a watered-down version of the governor's own legislation designed to curb methamphetamine production by limiting purchases of pseudoephedrine, reports The Associated Press. Kyle said Monday that "the bill passed by the Legislature did not go far enough to put a dent in makeshift meth labs around the state."

The Senate passed a bill limiting purchases to 4.8 grams per month and 14.4 grams per year without a prescription, while a House bill set limits of 5.8 and 28.8 grams, "which is the equivalent of about five months' worth of the maximum dosage of medicines like Sudafed," AP notes. Haslam wanted stronger restrictions. When the two sides couldn't agree, the measure went to a conference committee, and Senate negotiators agreed to the House bill. It has been sitting on Haslam's desk for nearly a month. (Read more)

No comments: