I’m back from a conference in Spokane, Washington, with a head full of cold and a pocket full of Sudafed. Appropriately, on the return flight we learned from the Spokane Spokesman-Review and the Associated Press that Oregon is making my drug of choice a semi-controlled substance:

Gov. Ted Kulongoski issued an order Friday that will require people buying over-the-counter cold medicines in Oregon to show identification and leave personal information at the register.

The new rules go into effect Oct. 13 and are designed to slow the state’s methamphetamine problem. Cold remedies such as Sudafed contain the main ingredients in the manufacture of the powerfully addictive and cheap drug.

“Vendors will be required to keep a record of every purchase,” Kulongoski said. …

Oh, and does this sound familiar?

Details of how names and other personal information will be gathered and used won’t be worked out until the Oregon Board of Pharmacy meets this week to adopt the new rules.

So the governor decrees that it shall be done, and never mind the details … the agency will figure that out along the way.

Give me a break. Or another box of Kleenex, anyway.