Senate Bill 2661

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 41-29-313, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972,TO MAKE IT UNLAWFUL FOR ANY PERSON TO BREAK OR DAMAGE THE VALVE ON AN ANHYDROUS AMMONIA TANK; 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, it is unlawful for any person to knowingly or intentionally:

(i) Purchase, possess, transfer 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 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) 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. It is unlawful for any person 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) 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.

(c) It is unlawful for any person to purchase, possess, transfer or distribute two hundred fifty (250) dosage units or fifteen (15) grams in weight (dosage unit and weight as defined in Section 41-29-139) 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.

(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) The terms "listed precursor drug or chemical" means a precursor drug or chemical that, in addition to legitimate uses, may be used in manufacturing a controlled substance in violation of this chapter. Such term includes any salt, optical isomer or salt of an optical isomer, whenever the existence of such 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. The following are "listed precursor drugs or chemicals":

(a) Ether;

(b) Anhydrous ammonia;

(d) Ephedrine;

(e) Denatured alcohol (Ethanol);

(f) Lithium;

(g) Freon;

(h) Hydrochloric acid;

(i) Hydriodic acid;

(j) Red phosphorous;

(k) Iodine;

(l) Sodium metal;

(m) Muriatic acid;

(n) Sulfuric acid;

(o) Hydrogen chloride gas;

(p) Potassium;

(q) Methanol;

(r) Isopropyl alcohol;

(s) Hexanes;

(t) Heptanes;

(u) Acetone;

(v) Toluene;

(w) Xylenes.

(4) 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.

(5) 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.

(6) 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.

(7) 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 (7), 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, including, without limitation, a condominium building, having four (4) or more dwelling units.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2005.