Pubdate: Thu, 30 Jan 2003
Source: Claremore Daily Progress, The (OK)
Copyright: 2003, The Claremore Daily Progress
Contact:  http://www.claremoreprogress.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2044

COOL, CLEAR URINE

One little piggie went wee-wee-wee all the way to the Arkansas state 
legislature, and very soon now "pee" may stand for illegal profit in 
Razorback land. Jay Martin, a freshman state representative, has won 
passage through the Arkansas House of Representatives of a measure that 
will make it illegal to sell or use urine to falsify a drug or alcohol 
screening test.

This was Martin's first bill and introduction to the legislative process 
prompted guffaws and chortles from his fellow legislators.

"As a freshman I'm going to get razzed anyway, but this bill just gave them 
added reason," Martin said of his fellow representatives, and they didn't 
disappoint him.

When Martin took to the floor to explain his bill, he was greeted by a 
chorus of hiss-like noises from other members, and as the first vote was 
taken, scores of members hit the "P" button - signifying present - rather 
than the buttons to vote "yes" or "no."

When the guffaws subsided, a second vote was taken and passed with only one 
"no" vote.

Martin said he was urged to introduce the "clean urine" bill by a local 
drug-testing company that complained of widespread trafficking in urine 
untainted by drugs, much of the business conducted over the Internet.

Maximum penalties for violating Martin's law will be up to 90 days in jail 
and a $500 fine.

One Internet-based company reportedly was offering four ounces of urine 
free of illegal drugs, alcohol and nicotine for $12.50 per ounce.

One little piggie went wee-wee-wee all the way to the Arkansas state 
legislature, and very soon now "pee" may stand for illegal profit in 
Razorback land. Jay Martin, a freshman state representative, has won 
passage through the Arkansas House of Representatives of a measure that 
will make it illegal to sell or use urine to falsify a drug or alcohol 
screening test.

This was Martin's first bill and introduction to the legislative process 
prompted guffaws and chortles from his fellow legislators.

"As a freshman I'm going to get razzed anyway, but this bill just gave them 
added reason," Martin said of his fellow representatives, and they didn't 
disappoint him.

When Martin took to the floor to explain his bill, he was greeted by a 
chorus of hiss-like noises from other members, and as the first vote was 
taken, scores of members hit the "P" button - signifying present - rather 
than the buttons to vote "yes" or "no."

When the guffaws subsided, a second vote was taken and passed with only one 
"no" vote.

Martin said he was urged to introduce the "clean urine" bill by a local 
drug-testing company that complained of widespread trafficking in urine 
untainted by drugs, much of the business conducted over the Internet.

Maximum penalties for violating Martin's law will be up to 90 days in jail 
and a $500 fine.

One Internet-based company reportedly was offering four ounces of urine 
free of illegal drugs, alcohol and nicotine for $12.50 per ounce.
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MAP posted-by: Alex