In 2010, the United States Drug Enforcement Administration reported over 11,000 methamphetamine lab incidents. Of that number, almost 1,200 occurred in Tennessee. To combat the problem, the Tennessee Legislature approved a law in July 2011 that will make manufacturing methamphetamines more difficult in the state.
Starting as House Bill 1051 and Senate Bill 1265, the I Hate Meth Acts were first introduced to the state's legislative bodies by Rep. Gerald McCormick and Sen. Mae Beavers, respectively. After passing the Tennessee Senate and House unanimously, Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam signed the Act into law on June 8, 2011, and the law took effect on July 1st.
The I Hate Meth Act creates new offenses for the sale or purchase of ingredients such as pseudoephedrine used in the manufacture of methamphetamine. The law expands the definition of child neglect to include production of methamphetamines in the presence of children as a form of endangerment. The legislation also lowers the base amount of methamphetamine precursors required to constitute evidence of intent to sell and requires pharmacists and pharmacies to maintain electronic records of purchases of ingredients used in the manufacture of meth for access by law enforcement.
The impact of the I Hate Meth Act goes beyond distribution issues. Under the new law, those who buy precursors with the intent of trading or selling them for methamphetamines could be charged with Class A misdemeanors and be subjected to fines. For those who produce methamphetamines in the presence of children, penalties can include felony convictions.
Under the new Tennessee law, stricter penalties will be assessed against those who trade or sell crystal meth precursors. Also, those who are involved in the manufacture of the Schedule II controlled substance risk criminal penalties for child neglect and abuse as well as face the possibility of losing custody of and contact with their children.
According to a 2009 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, almost 13 million individuals, including minors, reported illicit use of methamphetamine at least once in their lifetime. Crystal meth has fast become one of the most widely abused drugs in the nation. Stricter penalties may help law enforcement, but will also make it harder for those charged with meth-related offenses to get the help they need.
