Ockham's razor commonly states, "All other things being equal, the simplest solution is the best."   

Missouri House Rep.  Talibdin El-Amin introduced House Bill 1189 to the Missouri legislature n August of 2007.  House Bill 1189 requires licensed a pharmacist or a pharmacist assistant to monitor and record the distribution of baking soda (sodium Bicarbonate) to the public.  Individuals will be required to show proper identification when purchasing baking soda.  The legislation prohibits the sale of baking soda in quantities over two ounces to persons under the age of eighteen.   Stores without pharmacies may still sell baking soda from behind the counter and all mercantile establishments are required to maintain a log detailing all baking soda related transactions.   The baking soda record will include the name and address of the consumer, the date of purchase and the quantity of baking soda purchased.  Business owners will transfer the records to local authorities upon request.  Supporters of the bill argue that the measure will help fight the crack cocaine problem in Missouri.  Legislation requiring antihistamines to be sold behind the counter serves as legal precedent.

I support Rep. El-Amin's effort to reduce the amount of crack cocaine on city streets.  Unfortunately, the Representative is complicating the problem while creating costly bureaucratic entrapments.  One can  solve most complex problems by looking at the source of the problem and proposing direct and simple solutions.  Often, problems are too difficult to confront directly.  Thus, the politicians form focus groups, conduct opinion polls, consult members of the house subcommittee, devise strategies and generally side-step the real issue. This is done by proposing feel-good legislation which targets that which, whilst only vaguely associated with the afore mentioned issue, can show more rapid results.  The mere proposal of this legislature will allow the elected official to return to the voter base, claim a victory in name of the people and request the peoples' vote to return to elected office and finish the job.   Election cycle after legislative cycle, the pandering never seems to cease.  Missouri HB 1189 is another unfortunate example of good intentions in the state house leading to no real change in our house.

 The Missouri Legislature needs to address the crack cocaine problem.  Most of America needs to address the growing drug problem in our culture.  Creating new controlled substances, which is what baking soda shall become, will not solve the cocaine (which is currently banned) problem.  If a Government body would like to reduce the amount of crack and powder cocaine on the streets of our nation, the direct approach would require preventing the cocaine from entering the country in the first place.  In order to prevent the influx of cocaine and other narcotics, the Federal Government must stop the flow of illegal contraband (be it people or party-pills) across our borders.  The Missouri State House of Representatives cannot implement the direct solution due to the constitution and geography. 

Missouri has other options in the war against crack cocaine and baking soda should not be an innocent casualty in that war.  Tougher penalties could be handed down to cocaine distributors.  Anonymous tips lines could be used to target the cocaine users and dealers.  More police officers could be assigned to areas with more cocaine arrests.  Baking soda never hurt anyone.  My grandmother possess more than two ounces of baking soda.  I possess more than two ounces of baking soda.  You possess more than two ounces of baking soda.  Each little box of baking soda holds 8 ounces.  My box of baking soda is almost completely full and I do not remember when I purchased it.  I need to buy another box, while I still can.

HB 1189 will not hinder the production of crack cocaine.  Crack addicts will find another substance to use in the processing of crack cocaine.  The crack cocaine community could find another method of delivery.  Some addicts may chose to inject the cocaine and risk spreading HIV and other diseases.  The cocaine addiction remains a problem.  The local drug dealer will find a way to keep his business up and running.  Law-abiding citizens and mercantile owners will continue to submit all required paperwork to the baking soda IRS. Meanwhile, those who commit the felonious act of possessing crack cocaine will not be deterred by a misdemeanor possession of baking soda charge.  Everyone would be happy to see an end to cocaine and all other addiction, but can we leave the baking soda out of this?

But no one listens to me

-Patriotic Progeny

Posted:01/09/08