While the Combat Methamphetamine Epidemic Act of 2005 (CMEA) sets the baseline for these sales, specific regulations can vary slightly by state:
: In some states, a person under 18 may still obtain the medication if they have a valid prescription from a healthcare provider. Why the Age Restriction Exists
The cornerstone of this change was the . This federal law moved pseudoephedrine products out of reach of the general public, requiring consumers to ask a pharmacist or clerk for the item. This barrier was not intended to discourage legitimate use but to create a paper trail for law enforcement. By mandating that purchasers be at least 18 years old and provide identification, the government effectively ended "smurfing"—the practice of hiring multiple people to buy small amounts of the drug to bypass limits.