Pseudoephedrine, the main active ingredient in common cold medicines such as Sudafed, is chemically quite similar to ephedrine (hence the name). As such, it can be used to make methamphetamine. Since crank is quite illegal, and with the growth of small-scale meth labs which use pseudoephedrine in their production, many states have placed restrictions on the purchase of pseudoephedrine containing medicines.
So why do I care? There I am at 7:30, standing in Target (Tar-zhay?), and I’m in the market for pseudoephedrine. Not because I’m planning on starting up a meth lab in my new apartment. Instead, I just have a terrible cold, and I’m out of everything but Nyquil. Unfortunately, New York no longer allows the unregulated sale of pseudoephedrine. At Target, the process is very similar to purchasing large items: rather than picking up the item itself, you take a ticket for it. You then take the ticket to the pharmacy, and if you’re over 18, and you’re not buying too much, they’ll give you the medicine. Unfortunately, Target’s pharmacy closes at 7. So I’m without cold relief! Damn you, illicit methamphetmine producers!