The U.S. House passed on May 25 the HALT Fentanyl Act (HR 467), which, if enacted, would permanently classify fentanyl-related substances as Schedule I substances, subjecting them to heightened regulatory and law enforcement. Of note, the bill would not impact medical-grade Fentanyl, and it would remain a Schedule II substance.
The legislation is part of a larger effort to curb staggering overdose deaths from illegal fentanyl substances that are illicitly produced and up to 50 times stronger than heroin. The DEA order, which temporarily placed these substances in Schedule I in 2015, was set to expire at the end of 2024. The legislation will be referred to the U.S. Senate for consideration.
