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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2016

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO FOOD AND DRUGS-REGULATION OF POWDERED CAFFEINE

     

     Introduced By: Representatives Bennett, McNamara, Malik, Hull, and Diaz

     Date Introduced: January 07, 2016

     Referred To: House Health, Education & Welfare

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

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     SECTION 1. Title 21 of the General Laws entitled "FOOD AND DRUGS" is hereby

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amended by adding thereto the following chapter:

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CHAPTER 37

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REGULATION OF POWDERED CAFFEINE

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     21-37-1. Legislative findings and purpose. -- (a) Caffeine is a known alkaloid found in

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cocoa, coffee, tea, kola nuts and is naturally present in more than sixty (60) plants. While

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generally used as a stimulant, it does not actually provide energy but on the contrary, provides the

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illusion of energy. While caffeine can be found naturally, powdered caffeine is manufactured in a

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laboratory setting and if used in small doses, can be used safely to caffeinate medicines, food and

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soft drinks. When used in high doses however, caffeine can raise the user's blood pressure, cause

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heartburn, dehydration and can lead to seizures, erratic heartbeats and in some cases, death.

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     (b) Currently, powdered caffeine is not regulated by the Food and Drug Administration,

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and it is the purpose of this chapter to promote the health and safety of the consumers,

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particularly minors, by regulating the sale, possession and use of powdered caffeine within the

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state of Rhode Island.

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     21-37-2. Definitions. -- As used in this chapter:

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     (1) "Caffeine" means that central nervous-system stimulant and known alkaloid

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commonly found in cocoa and coffee seeds or beans; and

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     (2) "Powdered caffeine" means any concentrated powdered form of the stimulant

 

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caffeine, or any powder substance sold or marketed as pure or concentrated caffeine.

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     21-37-3. Prohibited activities. -- (a) It shall be illegal for any person, partnership,

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corporation or other entity to sell, give, provide or otherwise supply powdered caffeine to any

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person under the age of twenty-one (21) years.

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     (1) Any person, partnership, corporation of other entity located within or without the state

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of Rhode Island that violates ยง21-37-3(a), shall be punished upon conviction:

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     (i) For a first offense, by a fine of up to five hundred dollars ($500);

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     (ii) For a second offense, by a fine of up to one thousand dollars ($1,000) and/or

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imprisonment of up to one year; and

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     (iii) For a third or subsequent offense, by a fine of up to three thousand dollars ($3,000)

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and/or imprisonment of up to three (3) years.

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     (b) Any person being under the age of twenty-one (21) years who possesses powdered

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caffeine may be punished upon conviction by a fine of up to five hundred dollars ($500) and may

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be ordered to perform up to thirty (30) hours of community service, and upon a second or

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subsequent violation hereof may additionally be ordered to undergo a substance abuse assessment

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by a licensed substance abuse professional.

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     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO FOOD AND DRUGS-REGULATION OF POWDERED CAFFEINE

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     This act would prohibit the sale of powdered caffeine to any person under the age of

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twenty-one (21) years of age and would prohibit the possession of powdered caffeine by anyone

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in that age group. Penalties would include fines and/or imprisonment for suppliers, and fines and

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counseling for those found in possession.

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     This act would take effect upon passage.

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