Ohio Senate panel favors banning sales of pure caffeine

COLUMBUS (AP) — Selling pure caffeine in powder, liquid or crystal form and similar products that contain primarily caffeine would become a misdemeanor offense under a measure passed by an Ohio Senate panel.

The initial proposal applied only to pure caffeine, and lawmakers had concerns that people could mix it with a bit of a second substance to skirt regulations. To address that, the Senate Criminal Justice committee changed the bill today to include products that are primarily caffeine.

People still could sell it in pill form if each unit has less than 250 milligrams of caffeine. The bill exempts products such as coffee, tea and energy drinks that include caffeine and other ingredients.

The panel previously heard from the parents of an 18-year-old LaGrange teenager who overdosed on caffeine powder and died.