Is ephedrine off the shelves? What does it look like--is it a blue oval gel-cap? If it is being monitored (for meth lab production), for what purposes do people have/use it? Has it become illegal to have more than a specific quantity of it?

Thanks for your insight.

This has varied from state to state in the US, but most of it is now behind the counter. In most places you can still get it witout the doctors prescription but you will have to ask the clerk or druggest for it.
They do track who and how much is purchased.

It comes in dozens of shapes, colors and brands. And yes purchase and possession over certain limits are either illegal or grounds for police search warrants.

Meth is one of the most dangerous drug productions due to the toxic fumes, and the very high chance of explosion during production.

Here, in ND, the buyer needs to sign for the purchase - the form gets set to the Attorney General's office. A person can only purchase a maximum of two packages at a time. So you might think, okay, then I will go to X store and buy two, then Y store and buy two, and so on. Wrong! It is all tracked via computer, which law enforcement and the Attorney General's office all tap into.

A person generally buys this drug for allergy and sinus conditions. Sadly, there are those who want it because it is an ingredient in making meth. Does not seem to stop the production of meth though - the cookers just find new recipes.