Blagojevich signs legislation banning sale of ephedra

Gov. Rod R. Blagojevich has signed legislation that makes Illinois the only state in the nation to ban the sale of ephedra -- the controversial herbal weight-loss, bodybuilding and athletic enhancing supplement that has been linked to more than 100 deaths and 18,000 other medical problems – and he called on other states to follow suit.

Dietary supplements containing ephedra have been linked to 117 deaths nationwide and 18,000 reports of other medical problems, including strokes, heart attacks, seizures, psychosis and incidents of heat stroke, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

Ephedra has been partly blamed for the 2001 death of Northwestern football player Rashidi Wheeler and 23-year-old Baltimore Orioles pitcher Steve Bechler, who died of heat stroke in February. In banning the sale of ephedra, the U.S. military cited 33 members of the military who died after taking the controversial supplement.

Medical groups, such as the American Medical Association, Illinois State Medical Society and the American Heart Association, have all called for a ban on supplements containing ephedra.

The National Basketball Association, National Football League, NCAA (National Collegiate Athletic Association) and the International Olympic Committee have prohibited athletes from using products containing ephedra.

The legislation, which is effective immediately, makes it a misdemeanor to sell ephedra supplements in the state and is punishable by up to a year in jail and a $5,000 fine. Repeat offenders could face up to five years in jail and a $20,000 fine.