Dec. 06, 2017
HARRISBURG – Legislation sponsored by Rep. Tarah Toohil (R-Luzerne), that would prohibit the sale of over-the-counter cough medicines containing dextromethorphan (DXM) to minors on Tuesday was unanimously approved by the House Judiciary Committee, of which she is a member.
“The House Judiciary Committee recently held an informational meeting at which committee members learned about the alarming variety of harmful substances that are being abused by young people in Pennsylvania,” said Toohil. “One example known as lean, sizzurp or purple drank, is a mixture of either codeine or DXM with soda or candy. My bill would help to limit the purchase of DXM to get a cheap high.”
To view Toohil’s video comments on the bill click here.
House Bill 1951 would require merchants to check the age of someone who appears to be under the age of 25 who attempts to purchase a product containing DXM to ensure the purchaser is over 18. It would also create a new summary offense, punishable by a fine of $250-$500, for a person who knowingly sells a DXM product to a minor, or for a person who falsely misrepresents his or her age to obtain a DXM product. The sale of a DXM product with a valid prescription would be exempt.
House Bill 1951 will next be considered by the full House.
Representative Tarah Toohil
116th District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Contact: Rep. Toohil’s Office
717.260.6136
RepToohil.com /
Facebook.com/RepToohil