|
|
| |
| Mon, Sep. 8, 2008 |  |
 |
|
||
| |
Bill would stiffen penalties for flavored meth Wednesday, May 23, 2007 By Aaron Sadler Stephens Washington Bureau WASHINGTON - Methamphetamine cooks who add coloring or flavoring to the drug to entice young users would face tougher federal prison sentences under legislation introduced in Congress on Tuesday. The bill by Rep. John Boozman, R-Rogers, seeks to curb candy-flavored meth, made to taste and look more like sweets. Meth manufacturers have used strawberry-flavored drink mixes and other artificial flavoring to improve the taste of the drug, an Arkansas State Police investigator said Tuesday. Distribution of the drug in strawberry, chocolate and cola flavors has increased significantly since early this year, according to the Drug Enforcement Administration. "What appears to be happening is drug dealers, in an effort to make the drug more appealing to young people, are starting to flavor it," Boozman said. "It's another effort to sell their product." Boozman's bill would double current sentencing guidelines for meth manufacturers if they are caught with flavored meth. The "Stop Marketing Illegal Drugs to Minors Act" would require a sentence of 20 years to life in prison for manufacturers caught with 50 grams or more of the substance. Less than five grams would lead to a mandatory sentence of five to 40 years. Penalties would increase for repeat offenders. |
