No pseudoephedrine a non-issue for most
With cold and flu season making its arrival, some local doctors are requiring patients to come into the office when they have a cold or flu and want decongestant medications containing pseudoephedrine, while others make a judgment call after talking to the patient over the phone as to whether they should come into the office.
As of July 1, any pseudoephedrine-based cold medicines including — Sudafed, Tylenol Sinus Severe Cold and Zyrtec D — now require a prescription from a physician in Mississippi. The state law was passed during the 2010 legislative session and it’s aimed at fighting the state’s growing methamphetamine problem. Pseudoephedrine is an ingredient in cold and sinus medicines, which are often sold without a prescription. It is also the key ingredient used in the manufacture of methamphetamine. (October 25, 2010, Page 1)
Stiffer charges sought for drug dealers
Lafayette County Metro Narcotics Unit’s Keith Davis, and the other investigators at Metro, are pushing adding “enhancement charges” to regular drug dealing charges. Enhancement charges include, selling drugs within 1,500 of a school or church or child endangerment, for selling drugs when a child is present.
An enhancement charge does just that — it enhances the sentence of the defendant if found guilty. Under state law, selling drugs within 1,500 feet of a church or school allows a judge to double the penalty.
Several suspects charged with dealing drugs were indicted during the September grand jury and have been given enhancement charges along with being indicted with selling drugs.
See these and other indictments handed down by the grand jury in today’s EAGLE. (October 20, 2010, Page 1)
Metro busts four for selling Spice
The Lafayette County Metro Narcotics United arrested three people recently for allegedly selling synthetic marijuana.
“We couldn’t have done this without the help of other area law enforcement agencies, particularly the University Police Department,” said Agent in Charge Keith Davis.
In the last two weeks, the Narcotics Unit, with the help of UPD officers, visited several local businesses suspected of selling the artificial marijuana, known by several brand names including K2, Spice, Demon, Voodoo, Genie and Zohai. The leafy material is marketed as an incense, although by smoking it, it is said to have similar effects to that of marijuana.
The UPD officers posed as undercover buyers at the establishments. According to Davis, three people were arrested for selling the now-illegal substance. (September 15, 2010, Page 2)
City eyes ban on fake pot
On Monday, the Lafayette County Board of Supervisors banned the sale or possession of synthetic marijuana for the entire county, which included inside the city limits.
Just to make sure the message is clear, the Oxford Board of Aldermen are also considering an ordinance banning the fake marijuana that’s known by several brand names, including K2, Spice, Demon, Voodoo, Genie and Zohai. (August 4, 2010, Page 1)
County snuffs out fake pot
The Lafayette County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously this morning to follow what about a dozen other Mississippi cities and counties have done recently and made possessing, selling or distributing all forms of synthetic marijuana that’s known by several brand names — K2, Spice, Demon, Voodoo, Genie and Zohai. (August 2, 2010, Page 1)
