Jensen steps aside as sponsor of meth legislation

FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) - A Republican lawmaker who once represented
the anti-drug task force Operation UNITE has withdrawn as the
sponsor of a bill that would make some cold and allergy medications
available by prescription only.
Sen. Tom Jensen, a London lawyer, said he took the action Friday
to avoid any appearance of a conflict of interest. Sen. Robert
Stivers II took over as sponsor of the measure that's aimed at
curbing meth production in the state.
The bill is aimed at reducing the availability of
pseudoephedrine, a key ingredient in meth. Proponents believe
requiring prescriptions for medications containing the ingredient
could keep it out of the hands of meth producers.
The measure failed in last year's legislative session, and
Jensen had been pushing to get it passed into law this year.