So, I've been tempted in the past to try some small chemistry experiments, but whenever I think about buying glassware, reagents, or other supplies, I have this image in my head of law enforcement coming to kick down my door and bust my (non-existent) drug lab, and then I reconsider. And so chemistry is one of the hobbies that I have completely avoided.

Any comments about this?

@Joshua - I would not attempt anything that looks like chemistry in the United States - the powers of law enforcement and internal surveillance have been broadened to the point that I would not trust the due process of law. If I lived in the US I would probably be extremely circumspect with my web browser and public library card too. It is no longer a free country. This is only my outsider perspective, and the US is not the only democracy that I think this way about.

@Joshua - Yep, that is part of the republic of fear and chemical hysteria: be afraid of glassware! I personally have nothing to hide so I don't mind buying legal chemicals from a legal source. Others may have viable concerns. It may depend on what you intend to do with the chemicals. Keep a notebook!

@ William - "This is only my outsider perspective"... nuff said.

Even if there was some way to monitor every American citizens actions 24/7, the way I see it, if I'm not doing anything illegal, I don't really care who knows about it. And the great thing about the U.S. is you can legally get away with A LOT. And the U.S. is a republic fyi....

@KK

Noone is afraid of glassware. People in the United States are legitimately afraid of a police culture that can be distinguished from gang culture in only one way: cops have almost complete immunity to prosecution. I'm sure everyone can think of a few exceptions, but tell me this, how often do you think a police officer in the United States commits a felony, and in how many cases do you think that felony is prosecuted?

You do not have to be doing anything wrong in the US to be shot and killed by a police officer. Swat teams particularly in the US are staffed by young, ex-soldiers who are very eager to shoot first, and who are very aware of the protections, legal and otherwise, that they have. The only reason you have so much confidence is because you obviously have not been on the receiving end of police powers, which are beyond staggering. I'm not talking about some peace protest that you attended in 1972. I'm talking about an encounter with cops which leaves you with the complete realization that you can be beaten, crippled, killed, and disappeared off the face of the earth by a cop, and the only investigation will be done by friends of that cop on the same force.

http://www.dpft.org/deaths.html

http://stopthedrugwar.org/chronicle_blog/2008/jan/10/alert_a_swat_team_shot_a_mother_

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DYQD-btqhKg

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/chat/2284210/posts

http://www.southcoasttoday.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20091107/NEWS/911070332

One of my dad's favorite stories was about how George Eastman had a hard time coming by chemicals in small quantities when he was a young man, and as a result he vowed that Eastman Kodak would always be willing to sell chemicals in small quantities. So it was with sadness that I noted a few years back that Kodak had sold its chemical business. But I'm glad to see that someone is carrying on the tradition.

Also check out Cynmar Scientific -- they need to see a proof of business before they will sell chemicals but their prices are a lot better. Much bigger selection too -- lots of glassware and lab hardware, meters, microscopes, etc...

http://www.cynmar.com

Now I can continue my work with fissionable materials without drawing attention to stockpiling crates and drums in my back shed. Eat your heart out Ahmadinejab!

Yippee!

While there is certainly some hysteria and irrational fear of chemicals, I don't think one need be paranoid about having their door kicked in by SWAT teams and being arrested for hobbyist chemistry.

Just be open about it, being clandestine convinces people that you have something to hide. If your neighbors are curious, show them your stash. If the police come to the door asking questions, invite them inside. Yes, you don't have to consent to let them in your house without a warrant, but being confrontational makes people suspicious. Show them your lab, show them your chemistry books, explain what type of experiments you like to do. They might very well have no idea that people actually like chemistry enough to practice it as a hobby. Enlighten them. If you become defensive and tell them to come back with a warrant, they just might.

I've done business with elemental and they are ok except that it takes 6 weeks for them to make delivery. I am currently looking for someone who can deliver my supplies in less time.