Top 5 Strange Things Kids Can’t Buy on their Own Anymore

 2. Iodine

Now you would think that if iodine and acetone are on the same list of forbidden substances, that the sale or distribution of both would be affected in the same way. But one of the effects of living under our current system of laws and regulations is that it’s arbitrary and capricious and never anything you could have predicted. So in all my years in Missouri, I have never been carded when buying iodine. But I have done some research, and it turns out that in Oregon, you need not only a driver’s license but also a document showing vehicle registration in order to buy iodine. Barbara Peterson writes:

I went to town with my neighbor and she drove. Since my goats are getting ready to kid, I thought it would be a good idea to get some sort of iodine solution to treat the umbilical cords. No biggie, just a routine stop at the local Big R feed store. I looked around and decided on Triodine-7. According to the website, this is “for topical application on the skin to disinfect superficial wounds, cuts, abrasions, insect bites and minor bruises.” And it dries up the umbilical stump quickly. So, I put a bottle in my cart along with my goat minerals. Then I approached the cash register. And so it began…

The gal behind the register looked at me, and I looked at her and smiled. Then she pulled out a form and asked for my vehicle registration. PAPERS PLEASE!!! Huh? Why do you want my vehicle registration? She said – it’s for the iodine. You cannot buy this without providing a picture I.D. and your vehicle registration. I said I didn’t drive to town, and therefore, cannot provide my registration papers. Then I got it….. the stink-eye. You know, that look that says I know you’re probably a felon since you won’t show me your papers… I stared right back, prepared to take this to the matt and most likely end up behind bars. Then my neighbor stepped in and provided her registration papers so that we could end the day without someone having to post bail.

Clearly, if you live in Oregon, you can’t send your minor child to the feed store to buy iodine. This is an inconvenience not only to children who want to buy iodine. It pretty much means that parents can’t send their kids to the store to buy necessities. In case of an emergency, iodine can be very helpful. But forget about asking your child for assistance getting some.