House approves legislation addressing permanent scheduling of fentanyl analogues

U.S. Reps. Bob Latta (R-OH) and Morgan Griffith (R-VA) are commending House of Representatives colleagues after approving their legislation addressing the permanent scheduling of fentanyl analogues.

The lawmakers noted the Halt All Lethal Trafficking of (HALT) Fentanyl Act would permanently place fentanyl analogues into Schedule I of the Control Substances Act (CSA), simplify registration processes for certain research with Schedule I substances, and provide for exemption of individual analogues from Schedule I when evidence demonstrates it is appropriate. Presently fentanyl and fentanyl analogues temporarily fall under Schedule I of the CSA due to a temporary scheduling order that runs through Dec. 31, 2024, officials indicated.

“For too long, our nation has battled an opioid epidemic fueled in recent years by illicit fentanyl and its analogs, which claimed the lives of more than 5,000 Ohioans and 70,000 Americans in 2021,” Latta said. “Illicit fentanyl is now the leading cause of death for people in the United States aged 18 to 49. That’s why I have been championing the HALT Fentanyl Act, alongside my friend and colleague, Rep. Morgan Griffith, to permanently label these lethal substances as Schedule I narcotics.”

Latta said the permanent labeling change is significant and needed because it will help get fentanyl-related substances off of the nation’s streets and out of communities.

“I am pleased the House has voted in favor of my critical legislation with Congressman Latta to permanently schedule deadly fentanyl analogues, strengthening law enforcement’s ability to prosecute fentanyl traffickers,” Griffith said. “The bill also promotes research of fentanyl analogues in the hopes of finding medicinal uses. As drug overdose deaths reach historic levels in our country, the HALT Fentanyl Act offers a way to make progress amid the tragedy of addiction.”