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Purchasing decongestants could lead to meth-related charges

On Behalf of | Jun 30, 2025 | Criminal Defense |

Many drug possession, manufacturing and distribution charges are the result of blatantly illegal actions. People who involve themselves in the unregulated market for dangerous substances generally understand that they are at risk of prosecution if they get caught.

However, sometimes people end up running afoul of the law through what may initially seem like relatively innocent actions. People who have seasonal allergies or large families might buy multiple packages of decongestants and similar medications. Anyone with multiple school-age children knows the horrible experience of having a cold pass from one child to the next repeatedly over the course of several weeks.

Having enough medication on hand to treat the whole family or to address consistent allergy symptoms might seem like a reasonable decision. Unfortunately, it could lead to scrutiny from law enforcement professionals and possibly even felony charges.

People use medication to make methamphetamine

The active ingredients in certain types of decongestants and cold medicines are among the ingredients used to manufacture methamphetamine or amphetamine. Ephedrine and pseudoephedrine are precursors for methamphetamine. With the right chemical processes, people can convert them into far more dangerous substances.

As such, the possession of large amounts of these drugs can lead to an assumption that an individual intends to manufacture methamphetamine. Under Missouri law, the possession of substances used to manufacture methamphetamine is a crime. The legal right to possess either ephedrine or pseudoephedrine is subject to strict limits.

Buying too much medication that contains these ingredients could lead to law enforcement professionals assuming that a person intended to manufacture and possibly distribute methamphetamine. Anyone found in possession of 24 grams or more of either ephedrine or pseudoephedrine could face charges of possession of methamphetamine precursors.

They may face Class E felony charges. The potential penalties for a conviction include between one and four years in prison and up to $10,000 in fines. Particularly when people repeatedly buy medication at the same location or purchase multiple boxes of medication at different establishments within a few weeks of each other, tracking systems may lead to legal scrutiny.

Understanding how innocent actions might lead to very serious accusations can be beneficial for those struggling to make sense of the charges they currently face. Individuals facing methamphetamine-related drug charges may need help defending themselves and preserving their freedom, and that’s okay.