Is Ephedra Part Of The Methamphetamine Problem?
Again, the answer to this question is no. First, while it is theoretically possible to convert pure Ephedra to methamphetamine, very few dietary supplement products contain Ephedra, either as the raw herb or as an extract. Because of the mixtures of herbs and other ingredients in these products, and because of the relatively small amount of ephedrine alkaloids by weight, it is not practical to make methamphetamine from Ephedra products. The impracticability of using Ephedra to make methamphetamine is confirmed by the lack of evidence of actual use of dietary supplements to make methamphetamine.
While methamphetamine manufacturing and abuse continues to be a problem in many states, law enforcement officials with the most current and direct information on clandestine laboratory seizures report that they are not finding and have not found any significant amounts of dietary supplements in these laboratory seizures. Industry has actively worked with state and federal law enforcement officials on methamphetamine issues, and these officials have granted exemptions for Ephedra supplements from laws aimed at curbing the manufacture of methamphetamine because Ephedra is not part of the problem.
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