A. In addition to its legal uses, ephedrine is used in the illegal manufacture of methamphetamine, and illicit drug manufacturers extract ephedrine from various over-the-counter products containing as an ingredient ephedrine or pseudoephedrine.

B. Southern California generally and San Diego County specifically have become known to narcotics officers and drug enforcement agencies for their high incidence of illicit manufacture, sale and use of methamphetamine.

C. There is a current and immediate threat to the public health, safety and welfare in that the manufacture, processing, transportation, possession and sale of illicit narcotics and drugs are inherently dangerous. The chemicals, compounds, substances, by-products, and wastes associated with the manufacture of illicit narcotics and drugs are both dangerous and injurious to the health, welfare and safety of the citizens of the City of Chula Vista.

D. There has been an increase in the sales, thefts and possession of over-the-counter products that contain as an ingredient ephedrine, pseudoephedrine, ephedrine hydrochloride, pseudoephedrine hydrochloride, or pseudoephedrine sulfate, as well as other products associated with the manufacture of methamphetamine.

E. The reasonable limitations found in this section pertaining to the quantity of products containing ephedrine which may be sold to or purchased by a customer within a 24-hour period will assist the City of Chula Vista in its efforts to combat the insidious criminal methods of illegal methamphetamine manufacturers. However, these limitations will not unduly restrict legitimate businesses or customers from selling or buying these products for legal purposes. (Ord. 2779 § 1, 1999).