Senate Bill 2641

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 41-29-313, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO CREATE THE CRIME OF PURCHASING, POSSESSION, TRANSFERRING OR DISTRIBUTING ANY AMOUNT OF PSEUDOEPHEDRINE OR EPHEDRINE KNOWING THAT IT WILL BE USED TO UNLAWFULLY MANUFACTURE A CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:

SECTION 1. Section 41-29-313, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

41-29-313. (1) (a) Except as authorized in this section and in Section 41-29-315, it is unlawful for any person to knowingly or intentionally:

(i) Purchase, possess, transfer, manufacture, attempt to manufacture or distribute any two (2) or more of the listed precursor chemicals or drugs in any amount with the intent to unlawfully manufacture a controlled substance;

(ii) Purchase, possess, transfer, manufacture, attempt to manufacture or distribute any two (2) or more of the listed precursor chemicals or drugs in any amount, knowing, or under circumstances where one reasonably should know, that the listed precursor chemical or drug will be used to unlawfully manufacture a controlled substance;

(b) The term "precursor drug or chemical" means a drug or chemical that, in addition to legitimate uses, may be used in manufacturing a controlled substance in violation of this chapter. The term includes any salt, optical isomer or salt of an optical isomer, whenever the existence of a salt, optical isomer or salt of optical isomer is possible within the specific chemical designation. The chemicals or drugs listed in this section are included by whatever official, common, usual, chemical or trade name designated. A "precursor drug or chemical" includes, but is not limited to, the following:

(i) Ether;

(ii) Anhydrous ammonia;

(iii) Ammonium nitrate;

(iv) Pseudoephedrine;

(v) Ephedrine;

(vi) Denatured alcohol (Ethanol);

(vii) Lithium;

(viii) Freon;

(ix) Hydrochloric acid;

(x) Hydriodic acid;

(xi) Red phosphorous;

(xii) Iodine;

(xiii) Sodium metal;

(xiv) Sodium hydroxide;

(xv) Muriatic acid;

(xvi) Sulfuric acid;

(xvii) Hydrogen chloride gas;

(xviii) Potassium;

(xix) Methanol;

(xx) Isopropyl alcohol;

(xxi) Hydrogen peroxide;

(xxii) Hexanes;

(xxiii) Heptanes;

(xxiv) Acetone;

(xxv) Toluene;

(xxvi) Xylenes.

(c) Any person who violates this subsection (1), upon conviction, is guilty of a felony and may be imprisoned for a period not to exceed thirty (30) years and shall be fined not less than Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000.00) nor more than One Million Dollars ($1,000,000.00), or both fine and imprisonment.

(2) (a) It is unlawful for any person to knowingly or intentionally steal or unlawfully take or carry away any amount of anhydrous ammonia or to break, cut, or in any manner damage the valve or locking mechanism on an anhydrous ammonia tank with the intent to steal or unlawfully take or carry away anhydrous ammonia.

(b) (i) It is unlawful for any person to purchase, possess, transfer or distribute any amount of anhydrous ammonia knowing, or under circumstances where one reasonably should know, that the anhydrous ammonia will be used to unlawfully manufacture a controlled substance.

(ii) The possession of any amount of anhydrous ammonia in a container unauthorized for containment of anhydrous ammonia pursuant to Section 75-57-9 shall be prima facie evidence of intent to use the anhydrous ammonia to unlawfully manufacture a controlled substance.

(c) (i) It is unlawful for any person to purchase, possess, transfer or distribute any amount of pseudoephedrine or ephedrine, knowing, or under circumstances where one reasonably should know, that the pseudoephedrine or ephedrine will be used to unlawfully manufacture a controlled substance.

(ii) Except as provided in this subparagraph, possession of one or more products containing more than twenty-four (24) grams of ephedrine or pseudoephedrine shall constitute a rebuttable presumption of intent to use the product as a precursor to methamphetamine or another controlled substance. The rebuttable presumption established by this subparagraph shall not apply to the following persons who are lawfully possessing the identified drug products in the course of legitimate business:

1. A retail distributor of the drug products described in this subparagraph possessing a valid business license or wholesaler;

2. A wholesale drug distributor, or its agents, licensed by the Mississippi State Board of Pharmacy;

3. A manufacturer of drug products described in this subparagraph, or its agents, licensed by the Mississippi State Board of Pharmacy;

4. A pharmacist licensed by the Mississippi State Board of Pharmacy; or

5. A licensed health care professional possessing the drug products described in this subparagraph (ii) in the course of carrying out his profession.

(d) Any person who violates this subsection (2), upon conviction, is guilty of a felony and may be imprisoned for a period not to exceed five (5) years and shall be fined not more than Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000.00), or both fine and imprisonment.

(3) Nothing in this section shall preclude any farmer from storing or using any of the listed precursor drugs or chemicals listed in this section in the normal pursuit of farming operations.

(4) Nothing in this section shall preclude any wholesaler, retailer or pharmacist from possessing or selling the listed precursor drugs or chemicals in the normal pursuit of business.

(5) Any person who violates the provisions of this section with children under the age of eighteen (18) years present may be subject to a term of imprisonment or a fine, or both, of twice that provided in this section.

(6) Any person who violates the provisions of this section when the offense occurs in any hotel or apartment building or complex may be subject to a term of imprisonment or a fine, or both, of twice that provided in this section. For the purposes of this subsection (6), the following terms shall have the meanings ascribed to them:

(a) "Hotel" means a hotel, inn, motel, tourist court, apartment house, rooming house or any other place where sleeping accommodations are furnished or offered for pay if four (4) or more rooms are available for transient guests.

(b) "Apartment building" means any building having four (4) or more dwelling units, including, without limitation, a condominium building.

(7) Any person who violates the provisions of this section who has in his possession any firearm, either at the time of the commission of the offense or at the time any arrest is made, may be subject to a term of imprisonment or a fine, or both, of twice that provided in this section.

(8) Any person who violates the provisions of this section upon any premises upon which any booby trap has been installed or rigged may be subject to a term of imprisonment or a fine, or both, of twice that provided in this section. For the purposes of this subsection, the term "booby trap" means any concealed or camouflaged device designed to cause bodily injury when triggered by any action of a person making contact with the device. The term includes guns, ammunition or explosive devices attached to trip wires or other triggering mechanisms, sharpened stakes, nails, spikes, electrical devices, lines or wires with hooks attached, and devices designed for the production of toxic fumes or gases.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2010.