Comprehensive Methamphetamine Control Act of 1996
The Comprehensive Methamphetamine Control Act of 1996 is a bill () enacted into law () by the 104th Congress of the United States. It mandated registration of persons trading in list I chemicals from the DEA list of chemicals. A fee for such registration was initially $595 but later reduced to $116. It is regarded as one of the major drug laws in the United States. Provisions of the Act The Comprehensive Methamphetamine Control Act was composed as five titles sanctioning legislative authority for the control, exportation, importation, and manufacturing of methamphetamine substances and precursor chemicals. Congressional assessment with regards to methamphetamine substances and precursor chemicals - The 104th U.S. Congress finds the following : (1) Methamphetamine is a very dangerous and harmful drug. It is highly addictive and is associated with permanent brain damage in long-term users. (2) The abuse of methamphetamine has increased dramatically since 1990. This increased use has led to devastating effects on individuals and the community, including — (A) dramatic increase in deaths associated with methamphetamine ingestion (B) increase in the number of violent crimes associated with methamphetamine ingestion (C) increase in criminal activity associated with the illegal importation of methamphetamine and precursor compounds to support the growing appetite for this drug in the United States (3) Illegal methamphetamine manufacture and abuse presents an imminent public health threat that warrants aggressive law enforcement action, increased research on methamphetamine and other substance abuse, increased coordinated efforts to prevent methamphetamine abuse, and increased monitoring of the public health threat methamphetamine presents to the communities of the United States. Title I - Importation of Methamphetamine and Precursor Chemicals Support for International Efforts to Control Drugs Attorney General, in consultation with the Secretary of State, shall coordinate international drug enforcement efforts to decrease the movement of methamphetamine and methamphetamine precursors into the United States. Title II - Provisions to Control the Manufacture of Methamphetamine Seizure and Forfeiture of Regulated Chemicals It shall be unlawful for any person knowingly or intentionally to possess any list I chemical obtained pursuant to or under authority of a registration issued to that person if that registration has been revoked or suspended, if that registration has expired, or if the registrant has ceased to do business in the manner contemplated by the registration. Study and Report on Measures to Prevent Sales of Agents used in Methamphetamine Production (a) STUDY — The Attorney General of the United States shall conduct a study on possible measures to effectively prevent the diversion of red phosphorus, iodine, hydrochloric gas, and other agents for use in the production of methamphetamine. Nothing in this section shall preclude the Attorney General from taking any action the Attorney General already is authorized to take with regard to the regulation of listed chemicals under current law. (b) REPORT — Not later than January 1, 1998, the Attorney General shall submit a report to the Congress of its findings pursuant to the study conducted on the need for and advisability of preventive measures. (c)