S.Amdt. 1242

This amendment is about how fentanyl-related substances are classified under the Controlled Substances Act. It sets up a process for the Secretary to evaluate these substances and make determinations on whether to remove them completely from the schedules or move them to a less restrictive schedule based on their potential for abuse.

• The amendment gives the Secretary the power to evaluate fentanyl-related substances and submit scientific and medical findings to the Attorney General.
• If a substance is found to have a lower potential for abuse than substances in schedule V, the Attorney General is required to issue an order removing it from the schedules within 90 days.
• If a substance is found to have a lower potential for abuse than substances in schedules I and II, the Attorney General must remove it from schedule I and control it under schedule III within 90 days.
• The Attorney General can block these removals or rescheduling actions only by finding that it is necessary to avoid an imminent hazard to public safety.
• The Secretary is required to conduct an annual review of identified fentanyl-related substances to see if removal or rescheduling is appropriate.