1. For purposes of this section, unless the context otherwise indicates, the following terms have the following meanings:
A. “Methamphetamine catalyst” means any substance that has been used, is being used or is intended to be used to activate, accelerate, extend or improve a chemical reaction involved in the manufacture of methamphetamine. [PL 2015, c. 346, §7 (NEW).]
B. “Methamphetamine precursor” means any substance that can be directly or indirectly transformed into methamphetamine by means of chemical synthesis, including, but not limited to, ephedrine, pseudoephedrine, benzyl methyl ketone, phenylacetone, phenylacetic acid, phenyl-2-propanone (P2P) or any salt, isomer or salt of isomers of these chemicals. [PL 2015, c. 346, §7 (NEW).]
C. “Methamphetamine reagent” means any substance other than a methamphetamine catalyst that has been used, is being used or is intended to be used to react with and chemically alter any methamphetamine precursor. [PL 2015, c. 346, §7 (NEW).]
D. “Methamphetamine solvent” means any substance that has been used, is being used or is intended to be used as a medium in which any methamphetamine precursor, methamphetamine catalyst, methamphetamine reagent or any substance containing any of the foregoing is dissolved, diluted or washed during any part of the methamphetamine manufacturing process. [PL 2015, c. 346, §7 (NEW).]

[PL 2015, c. 346, §7 (NEW).]

Attorney's Note

Under the Maine Revised Statutes, punishments for crimes depend on the classification. In the case of this section:
ClassPrisonFine
Class B crimeup to 10 yearsup to $20,000
For details, see Me. Rev. Stat. Title 17-A § 1604
Have a question? Click here to chat with a criminal defense lawyer and protect your rights.
2. A person is guilty of unlawful operation of a methamphetamine laboratory if that person intentionally or knowingly produces, prepares, compounds, converts or processes any methamphetamine precursor, methamphetamine catalyst, methamphetamine reagent or methamphetamine solvent with the intent that methamphetamine be produced.
It is not a defense that the chemical reaction is not complete or that no scheduled drug was in fact created.
Violation of this subsection is a Class B crime.

[PL 2015, c. 346, §7 (NEW).]

3. If a person uses a motor vehicle to facilitate the unlawful operation of a methamphetamine laboratory, the court may, in addition to other authorized penalties, suspend the person’s driver’s license or permit or privilege to operate a motor vehicle or right to apply for or obtain a license for a period not to exceed 5 years. A suspension may not begin until after any period of incarceration is served. If the court suspends a person’s driver’s license or permit, privilege to operate a motor vehicle or right to apply for or obtain a license, the court shall notify the Secretary of State of the suspension and the court shall take physical custody of the person’s license or permit. The Secretary of State may not reinstate the person’s driver’s license or permit or privilege to operate a motor vehicle or right to apply for or obtain a license unless the person demonstrates that, after having been released and discharged from any period of incarceration that may have been ordered, the person has served the period of suspension ordered by the court.

[PL 2015, c. 346, §7 (NEW).]

SECTION HISTORY

PL 2015, c. 346, §7 (NEW).