Shoppers are used to whipping out identification for buying booze and even allergy meds these days, but the next time your manicure needs a refresher, you might find yourself getting card at CVS for buying nail polish remover. The pharmacy chain has posted notices to customers in various locations on the East Coast that the company is trying to fight the meth cookers out there who would twist acetone to their illegal doings.

WPRI.com in Providence, R.I. and WAMU.org in D.C. both take note of the recent policy, which requires customers to present identification if they want nail polish remover with acetone. Shoppers will also be limited as to how many bottles they can buy at one time, so don’t plan a big mani-pedi party anytime soon. That’s beauty talk for “manicure and pedicure,” FYI.

Signs posted near the polish removers read: “CVS/Pharmacy is helping to protect our community from the illegal making and use of methamphetamine because acetone can be used in the process. Valid I.D. must be presented to purchase acetone-containing products.”

CVS/Pharmacy also has issued a statement regarding the ID requirement, outlining how it could be used to do bad deeds:

Because acetone is an ingredient used in the illegal manufacture of methamphetamine, we recently implemented a policy that a valid ID must be presented to purchase acetone-containing products such as nail polish remover. Our policy also limits the sale of these products in conjunction with other methamphetamine precursors and is based on various regulations requiring retailers to record sales of acetone.

A CVS employee in Texas tells Consumerist that the policy is also in effect at his location, and that he believes the limits on acetone products are 30 oz in one day and 64 oz over a month. That’s a lot of undone manicures and pedicures.

If you notice this at your local CVS in other parts of the country, shoot us a note at tips@consumerist.com and we’ll update this post.

*Thanks for the tip, Martin!

ID required for nail polish remover at CVS [WPRI.com]
Filed Under: CrimeDC Pharmacy Chain Limits Sale Of Nail Polish Remover Over Meth Concerns [WAMU.org]

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