Bill > H2865

This bill creates new criminal offenses for possessing chemicals and their precursors with the intent to manufacture controlled substances like phencyclidine (PCP) and methamphetamine, or for intending to sell or transfer these chemicals knowing they will be used for such manufacturing. Specifically, it makes it a felony, punishable by up to five years in state prison, to possess certain combinations of chemicals, such as piperidine and cyclohexanone, or their isomers and precursors, with the intent to manufacture PCP. Similarly, possessing combinations of chemicals like methylamine and phenyl-2-propanone (phenylacetone), or ephedrine/pseudoephedrine with other reagents like hydriodic acid, with the intent to manufacture methamphetamine, is also a felony. The bill also establishes misdemeanor offenses, punishable by up to two and a half years in a house of correction, for possessing these same chemicals and precursors with the intent to sell or transfer them to others for the purpose of manufacturing these drugs. Importantly, these new laws do not apply to licensed drug manufacturers or individuals authorized by the board of registration in pharmacy.