House Passes Bill to Increase Penalties for Fentanyl Trafficking, Sending Measure to President’s Desk

The House of Representatives voted in favor of a Senate bill to reclassify fentanyl as a Schedule I drug under the Controlled Substances Act on June 12. The legislation passed 321–104, with only one Republican voting against it. “A schedule I controlled substance is a drug, substance, or chemical that has a high potential for abuse; has no currently accepted medical value; and is subject to regulatory controls and administrative, civil, and criminal penalties under the Controlled Substances Act,” the Senate said on its website. Under the bill, new fentanyl-related offenses are established, with 100 grams or more triggering a mandatory prison sentence with a minimum of 10 years. The legislation also establishes a new registration process for research with controlled substances....