# When is a meth lab a meth lab **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [October 1, 2013, 11:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-is-a-meth-lab-a-meth-lab/670079 "2013-10-01T11:51:43Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![PSXer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/48db29/32.png) [@PSXer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PSXer)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2013, 11:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-is-a-meth-lab-a-meth-lab/670079/1 "2013-10-01T11:51:43Z")
Inspired by breaking bad of course so maybe my conception of this is biased by a fictional show Say you have a bunch of glassware and lab equipment in your garage. Surely that is not illegal? And have some household chemicals that can be used in the manufacture. At what point does this become illegal? My friend wants to know ---
**Author:** ![DrFidelius](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/drfidelius/32/3447_2.png) [@DrFidelius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrFidelius)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2013, 12:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-is-a-meth-lab-a-meth-lab/670079/2 "2013-10-01T12:10:52Z")
I am not a lawyer or in law enforcement in any jurisdiction in the United States, but I presume it becomes illegal once you use the lab equipment and materials to cook up a controlled substance. Possibly a provable intent to do so is sufficient. ---
**Author:** ![aNewLeaf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ac91a4/32.png) [@aNewLeaf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aNewLeaf)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2013, 12:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-is-a-meth-lab-a-meth-lab/670079/3 "2013-10-01T12:14:59Z")
In some places, notably Texas. even ordering the glassware is potentially a crime. Most normal places, it comes down to intent, as \*\*DrFidelius \*\*said. (I also am not a lawyer. I do own some lab glass, it’s fun.) ---
**Author:** ![msmith537](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d9b06d/32.png) [@msmith537](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/msmith537)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2013, 6:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-is-a-meth-lab-a-meth-lab/670079/4 "2013-10-01T18:35:09Z")
[How to recognize a meth lab.](http://alcoholism.about.com/od/meth/a/methlab.htm) ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2013, 6:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-is-a-meth-lab-a-meth-lab/670079/5 "2013-10-01T18:44:33Z")
There are a couple of precursor chemicals that possession of can be regarded as “intent.” Sort of like burglary tools - you don’t have to actually steal anything to get busted for planning to. ---
**Author:** ![smee\_goan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f07891/32.png) [@smee\_goan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/smee_goan)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2013, 7:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-is-a-meth-lab-a-meth-lab/670079/6 "2013-10-01T19:00:53Z")
If the guy has a urine test and it’s positive, diluted negative, creatines aove 2.0 ect… it’s a redneck, ERRRR meth lab. ---
**Author:** ![Labtrash](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/labtrash/32/528_2.png) [@Labtrash](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Labtrash)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2013, 7:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-is-a-meth-lab-a-meth-lab/670079/7 "2013-10-01T19:39:41Z")
> [@msmith537](#): > > [How to recognize a meth lab.](http://alcoholism.about.com/od/meth/a/methlab.htm) The first item on the list (Propane tanks with fittings that have turned blue) is weird. Why do the fittings turn blue? ---
**Author:** ![AnthonyElite](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b487fb/32.png) [@AnthonyElite](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AnthonyElite)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2013, 8:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-is-a-meth-lab-a-meth-lab/670079/8 "2013-10-01T20:03:09Z")
> [@Labtrash](#): > > The first item on the list (Propane tanks with fittings that have turned blue) is weird. > > Why do the fittings turn blue? Why don’t you tell us, METHY! The idea of all this is scary. Arrest me for thought crime already. ---
**Author:** ![Jimmy\_Chitwood](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f475e1/32.png) [@Jimmy\_Chitwood](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jimmy_Chitwood)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2013, 8:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-is-a-meth-lab-a-meth-lab/670079/9 "2013-10-01T20:07:12Z")
> [@Labtrash](#): > > The first item on the list (Propane tanks with fittings that have turned blue) is weird. > > Why do the fittings turn blue? Because the tanks have been used by the meth cookers to hold [anhydrous ammonia](http://www.snopes.com/crime/warnings/methtank.asp), which degrades the metal. ---
**Author:** ![Count\_Blucher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c5a1d2/32.png) [@Count\_Blucher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Count_Blucher)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2013, 1:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-is-a-meth-lab-a-meth-lab/670079/10 "2013-10-02T01:05:59Z")
> [@PSXer](#): > > Inspired by breaking bad of course so maybe my conception of this is biased by a fictional show > > Say you have a bunch of glassware and lab equipment in your garage. Surely that is not illegal? This sounds like some Bull in an illegal China Shop… =d&r= ---
**Author:** ![Superhal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b4bc9f/32.png) [@Superhal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Superhal)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2013, 1:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-is-a-meth-lab-a-meth-lab/670079/11 "2013-10-02T01:19:42Z")
From what I’ve read: 1. Possession of particular legal components only used for making drugs outside of industrial use. 2. Parnaphelia, such as a glass pipe or specialized drug tools. 3. Amounts of legal substances beyond personal use, e.g cases of sudafed or rechargeable batteries 4. Residue of the actual illegal substance on ordinary things, eg a plastic soda bottle with meth residue. What should be ok: 1. Plans for making meth 2. Meth ingredients in personal use amounts. 3. Telling people you are going to make a meth lab. 4. Searching for meth recipes online or at the library. 5. Legal items often used for drugs but not used for drugs, eg glass pipes, rolling papers, etc. 6. Lab equipment that is legal to own. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Me](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d2c977/32.png) [@Mr.Me](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Me)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2013, 11:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-is-a-meth-lab-a-meth-lab/670079/12 "2013-10-02T11:40:45Z")
> [@msmith537](#): > > [How to recognize a meth lab.](http://alcoholism.about.com/od/meth/a/methlab.htm) [How to recognize a Meth Lab.](http://images.sodahead.com/profiles/0/0/0/0/0/2/6/2/1/meth-lab-32800680256.jpeg) 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2013, 12:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-is-a-meth-lab-a-meth-lab/670079/13 "2013-10-02T12:23:50Z")
> [@Superhal](#): > > 1. Parnaphelia… If I was going to have any more children, I should like a daughter named Parnaphelia. ---
**Author:** ![Uber\_the\_Goober](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/58956e/32.png) [@Uber\_the\_Goober](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Uber_the_Goober)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2013, 4:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-is-a-meth-lab-a-meth-lab/670079/14 "2013-10-02T16:36:33Z")
> [@Mr.Me](#): > > [How to recognize a Meth Lab.](http://images.sodahead.com/profiles/0/0/0/0/0/2/6/2/1/meth-lab-32800680256.jpeg) 🙂 AAAAAHHHHHHHHH HAHAHAHAHAHAHA 😃 😃 😃 I nearly spit soda through my nose… ---
**Author:** ![Revtim](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/revtim/32/1042_2.png) [@Revtim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Revtim)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2013, 5:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-is-a-meth-lab-a-meth-lab/670079/15 "2013-10-02T17:01:36Z")
IMHO a meth lab isn’t a meth lab until I hang some pictures of my family on the wall. ---
**Author:** ![Intergalactic\_Gladiator](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/intergalactic_gladiator/32/112_2.png) [@Intergalactic\_Gladiator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Intergalactic_Gladiator)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2013, 5:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-is-a-meth-lab-a-meth-lab/670079/16 "2013-10-02T17:32:52Z")
> [@Revtim](#): > > IMHO a meth lab isn’t a meth lab until I hang some pictures of my family on the wall. Cooking illegal drugs made this a meth lab, but our love made this a meth home. ---
**Author:** ![VinylTurnip](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b2d939/32.png) [@VinylTurnip](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VinylTurnip)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2013, 6:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-is-a-meth-lab-a-meth-lab/670079/17 "2013-10-02T18:14:55Z")
> [@Revtim](#): > > IMHO a meth lab isn’t a meth lab until I hang some pictures of my family on the wall. Or at least one of [these](http://i.imgur.com/WQ2v0Pn.jpg). ---
**Author:** ![bobot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bobot/32/21622_2.png) [@bobot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bobot)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2013, 12:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-is-a-meth-lab-a-meth-lab/670079/18 "2013-10-03T00:34:16Z")
> [@msmith537](#): > > [How to recognize a meth lab.](http://alcoholism.about.com/od/meth/a/methlab.htm) When I read that list, why do Cold Pills Containing Pseudoephedrine sound like one of the most mild ingredients? ---
**Author:** ![sisu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/df705f/32.png) [@sisu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sisu)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2013, 4:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-is-a-meth-lab-a-meth-lab/670079/19 "2013-10-03T04:27:47Z")
> [@Mr.Me](#): > > [How to recognize a Meth Lab.](http://images.sodahead.com/profiles/0/0/0/0/0/2/6/2/1/meth-lab-32800680256.jpeg) 🙂 That was great!! ---
**Author:** ![Sunspace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sunspace/32/1250_2.png) [@Sunspace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunspace)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2013, 6:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-is-a-meth-lab-a-meth-lab/670079/20 "2013-10-03T06:29:19Z")
> [@Mangetout](#): > > If I was going to have any more children, I should like a daughter named Parnaphelia. As opposed to “Paraphilia”? 🙂 [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-is-a-meth-lab-a-meth-lab/670079.md?page=2)