§962.1.1. Possession of twelve grams or more of ephedrine, pseudoephedrine, or
phenylpropanolamine or their salts, optical isomers, and salts of optical isomers
A.(1) It is unlawful for any person to possess twelve grams or more of ephedrine,
pseudoephedrine, or phenylpropanolamine or their salts, optical isomers, or salts of optical
isomers.
(2) It is unlawful for any person to possess ephedrine, pseudoephedrine, or
phenylpropanolamine or their salts, optical isomers, or salts of optical isomers in powder
form unless the weight of the ephedrine, pseudoephedrine, or phenylpropanolamine or their
salts, optical isomers, or salts of optical isomers is less than twelve grams and the powder
is in the manufacturer's original packaging and may be lawfully sold over the counter without
a prescription under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, 21 U.S.C. 301 et seq.
B. The provisions of this Section shall not apply to any of the following:
(1) Any person possessing a valid prescription for ephedrine, pseudoephedrine, or
phenylpropanolamine or their salts, optical isomers, and salts of optical isomers.
(2) Any licensed manufacturer, wholesaler, or distributor who sells, transfers, or
otherwise furnishes ephedrine, pseudoephedrine, or phenylpropanolamine or their salts,
optical isomers, and salts of optical isomers to any licensed practitioner operating within the
course and scope of that profession.
(3) Any licensed pharmacist or other authorized person who sells or furnishes
ephedrine, pseudoephedrine, or phenylpropanolamine or their salts, optical isomers, and salts
of optical isomers in the course of their professional practice, pursuant to the prescription of
any licensed practitioner.
(4) Any licensed practitioner who administers or furnishes ephedrine,
pseudoephedrine, or phenylpropanolamine or their salts, optical isomers, and salts of optical
isomers in the course of their professional practice.
(5) Any person in possession of ephedrine, pseudoephedrine, or
phenylpropanolamine or their salts, optical isomers, and salts of optical isomers in his
residence under circumstances that are consistent with typical medicinal or household use.
Factors that the court may consider in determining whether the circumstances of the
possession are consistent with typical medicinal or household use include but are not limited
to storage location, purchase date, expiration date, possession of the products in a variety of
strengths, brands, types, or purposes and the health conditions of persons in the residence.
(6) Any manufacturer, wholesaler, distributor, or retail business which sells,
transfers, or otherwise furnishes products to customers for medicinal purposes, which
products contain ephedrine, pseudoephedrine, or phenylpropanolamine or their salts, optical
isomers, and salts of optical isomers, while acting within the scope and course of that
business.
C. The provisions of this Section shall not apply to any pediatric products primarily
intended for administration, according to label instructions, to children under twelve years
of age provided that:
(1) For any solid dosage form, the individual dosage unit, according to label
instructions, does not exceed fifteen milligrams of ephedrine, pseudoephedrine, or
phenylpropanolamine.
(2) For any liquid dosage form, the recommended dosage units, according to label
instructions, does not exceed fifteen milligrams of ephedrine, pseudoephedrine, or
phenylpropanolamine per five milliliters of the liquid product.
(3) For any liquid dosage form intended for administration to children under two
years of age, the recommended dosage does not exceed two milliliters and the total package
content is not more than one fluid ounce.
D. Repealed by Acts 2009, No. 314, §2.
E. Whoever violates any provision of this Section shall be fined not more than two
thousand dollars or imprisoned, with or without hard labor, for not more than two years, or
both.
F. Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, unless listed in another
schedule, any product that contains any detectable quantity of ephedrine, pseudoephedrine,
or phenylpropanolamine, their salts or optical isomers, or salts of optical isomers is a
Schedule V controlled dangerous substance and shall be dispensed, sold, or distributed only
in accordance with the provisions of R.S. 40:1049.1 et seq. Such products shall be exempt
from the reporting for Schedule V drugs as provided for in R.S. 40:1001 et seq.
Acts 2003, No. 1000, §1; Acts 2004, No. 656, §1; Acts 2009, No. 314, §§1 and 2;
Acts 2018, No. 206, §4.