Bill > H3538

This bill amends South Carolina's controlled substances law to enhance the State Board of Pharmacy's ability to quickly identify and schedule new synthetic chemical formulas, particularly those used in synthetic cannabinoids and cathinones. The bill requires the Board of Pharmacy to provide a written report at least every 90 days to key state officials, detailing any newly identified chemical formulas that are not currently illegal. The board will be authorized to communicate with various law enforcement and drug control agencies, including SLED (South Carolina Law Enforcement Division) and the DEA (Drug Enforcement Administration), to stay informed about emerging synthetic drugs. The bill allows the Board of Pharmacy to adopt emergency rules to schedule new chemical formulas as controlled substances if they meet specific criteria, such as being scheduled by the DEA, criminalized by another state, or having a high potential for abuse with no accepted medical use. These emergency rules would be effective for 30 days and expire on the last legislative day of the following session unless permanently added to the controlled substances list. The goal is to provide a more rapid and flexible mechanism for addressing the constantly evolving landscape of synthetic drugs and protecting public health.

Health and Social Services

https://www.scstatehouse.gov/billsearch.php?billnumbers=3538&session=126&summary=B