Drug makers lose the small-batch loophole for a key ingredient

The US Drug Enforcement Administration will now regulate a chemical used to make illegal drugs, no matter how small the amount. This means anyone handling it, even in tiny quantities or mixtures, will face strict federal rules.

Illegal drug manufacturers often buy precursor chemicals in small amounts or diluted mixtures to avoid federal oversight. This rule closes those loopholes, making it harder to produce drugs like methamphetamine. It is part of a long effort by law enforcement to control the raw materials for illegal drugs.