The incremental loss of liberty in America just keeps progressing. I have written about the methamphetamine problem here and this latest legislation in Progressive Oregon is a forewarning of what is coming to Wisconsin.
Oregon Limits Allergy Drugs: Gov. Ted Kulongoski signed legislation Tuesday that will make Oregon the first state to require prescriptions for everyday cold and allergy medications that can be converted into methamphetamine.Pseudoephedrine is not a dangerous drug. It is a useful medical chemical which was widely available to the public. Bulk quantities can be converted into methamphetamine so rather than focus on the large scale international criminal organizations which manufacture meth in foreign labs, the politicians are erecting barriers to low volume consumer purchases. It is easier for politicians to manipulate the behavior of law abiding citizens than to leave freedom in place and deal with criminals. Personally, I am getting real tired of being told that I have to change because other people are misbehaving.
“Tom Holt, executive director of the Oregon State Pharmacy Association, said he thinks the law will drive pseudoephedrine-containing products off the market within a year or two.”Once again ill conceived legislation will destroy a market benefiting millions in an effort to thwart the thousands of criminals who ignore the law anyway. On this issue the Republicans are every bit as complicit and culpable as the Democrats. In a large lab in southern Mexico, drug lords are probably having a good laugh at this paperwork threat to their business. If the problem really is kids shoplifting five boxes of Sudafed from Walgreen’s and this law eliminates methamphetamine use in Oregon, I will be the first to acknowledge I missed the wisdom of this solution. HT: Dummocrats
