Bill > HR5415

This bill aims to permanently schedule the class of synthetic opioids known as nitazenes (2-benzylbenzimidazole opioids) under Schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act, effectively making these drugs illegal at the federal level. The bill provides a detailed chemical description of the molecular structure that defines nitazenes, emphasizing their significant potency at the mu-opioid receptor, which can exceed that of fentanyl. Congress finds that these substances have emerged in the illicit drug supply and contribute to overdose and fatal poisonings in the United States. The legislation specifically lists several nitazene compounds, including etonitazene, clonitazene, metonitazene, and others, and provides a technical definition of the chemical modifications that characterize this class of drugs. The bill also stipulates that any previously temporarily scheduled nitazene substances will now be permanently scheduled, and clarifies that new research involving these substances will require proper registration and scheduling compliance. The goal of the bill is to preemptively address the proliferation of new drug analogs, streamline law enforcement efforts, and protect public health by comprehensively controlling this dangerous class of synthetic opioids.

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https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/5415/all-info