Bill > S444

This bill updates North Carolina's Controlled Substances Act by adding numerous new synthetic opioids, fentanyl derivatives, and nitazene derivatives to Schedule I, which covers the most dangerous and addictive drugs with no accepted medical use. The bill specifically expands the list of prohibited substances in several categories, including adding multiple chemical variations of synthetic opioids like AP-237, U-47700, and various fentanyl analogs with specific fluorinated or modified molecular structures. It also introduces a new category of "nitazene derivatives" - a class of synthetic opioids derived from benzimidazole with complex chemical substitution rules. Additionally, the bill makes technical corrections to drug nomenclature, adds new synthetic cannabinoids with intricate chemical definitions (including substances like oxindoles and indole acetamides), and includes a new controlled substance called bromazolam. The bill broadens the definition of substituted cathinones by allowing cycloalkyl substitutions and updates various other technical terms and chemical designations. The changes are designed to keep pace with emerging synthetic drug trends and close potential legal loopholes in drug classification. The act becomes effective immediately upon becoming law.

https://www.ncleg.gov/BillLookUp/2025/S444