Hi lainchan. I've been doing some research on U.S. analogue drug laws and came across a page on namsdl.org detailing legislation enacted and pending related to 'novel psychoactive substances'. Currently all of these I am going to list are pending, having been referred to committee. Unfortunately I really don't know much about the law and was wondering what you all thought of this.. If these are passed, I think it is going to become very, very hard to find the things I myself and others need and use responsibly.. If you go to the actual pages for the bills, most of them show a 12% chance of being enacted according to 'skopos labs' - does anyone think this is a realistic estimate? I'm crossing my fingers here, because the lot of this sounds like some terrifying totalitarian bullsoykaf.. When is the insanity going to end? When will this horrible war on drugs finally stop? Thankfully, HR1732 misses my favorite substance, but that seems a null point if the rest of these go through.. I mean, I'm all for combating this synthetic heroin epidemic but the ones I listed go far beyond that scope..
Anyways, I just wanted to inform folks and start a discussion here on the possible repercussions and the actions we might possibly be able to take to mitigate this legislation. Sorry if the post is very long but there is alot of stuff to go over. I think I got them all, at least nation-wide bills.
In closing, Charlie Dent, the one who seems to sponsor alot of these bills, can go get hit by a truck. Seriously.
U.S. 2017 HR 1057 - “Synthetics Trafficking and Overdose Prevention Act of 2017.”
The bill amends the Tariff Act of 1930 to ensure that merchandise arriving through the mail is subject to review by U.S. Customs and Border Protection and to require the provision of advance electronic information on shipments of mail to U.S. Customs and Border Protection
U.S. 2017 HR 1732 - “Synthetic Drug Control Act of 2017.”
Requires the U.S. Attorney General to classify approximately 250 synthetic substances under Schedule I of the Controlled Substances
Act.
The categories of these substances include: Phenylalkylamines, Cannabimimetic agents, Arylcyclohexamines, Tryptamines, Benzylpiperidines, Benzodiazepines, Opioids and opioid-like substances, Piperazines, Tropane and alkaloids.
U.S. 2017 HR 2900 - “International Narcotics Trafficking Emergency Response by Detecting Incoming Contraband with Technology Act”
(or the “INTERDICT Act”). The bill proposes to improve the ability of U.S. Customs and Border Protection(“Customs”)to interdict fentanyl, other synthetic opioids, and other narcotics and psychoactive substances that are illegally imported into the United States by providing that the Secretary of Homeland Security shall:
(1) increase the number of chemical screening devices available to
Customs; and (2) make such additional chemical screening devices available to Customs as are necessary. Authorizes the appropriation of $15 million to Customs.
U.S. 2017 S 207 - “Synthetic Abuse and Labeling of Toxic Substances Act of 2017.” Amends definition of “controlled substance analogue” to include the following factors to determine if a substance is intended for human consumption:
-Marketing, advertising, and labeling of the substance.
-Known efficacy or usefulness of the substance for the
marketed, advertised, or labeled purpose.
-Difference between the price at which the substance is
sold and the price at which the substance it is
purported to be or advertised as is normally sold.
-Diversion of the substance from legitimate channels
and the clandestine importation, manufacture, or
distribution of the substance.
-Whether the defendant knew or should have known the
substance was intended to be consumed by injection,
inhalation, ingestion, or any other immediate means.
U.S. 2017 S 658 - “Illegal Synthetic Drug Safety Act of
2017.”
According to the official summary, this bill amends the Controlled
Substances Act to modify the treatment of controlled substance analogues. Specifically, a controlled substance analogue that is not a chemical substance under the Toxic Substances Control Act is treated as a schedule I controlled substance, whether or not it is intended for human consumption.
U.S. 2017 S 1327 - “Stop the Importation and Trafficking of Synthetic Analogues Act of 2017”
(or “SITSA”). Creates federal “schedule A” for controlled substance analogues. Inclusion in the schedule requires both: (1) a chemical structure that is substantially similar to an existing controlled substance; and (2) an “actual or predicted stimulant, depressant, or hallucinogenic effect” on the human body equal to or greater than
a controlled substance. Places 13 fentanyl analogues into schedule A. Provides that a temporary scheduling order into schedule
A can last for up to five years.
U.S. 2017 HR 2851 - Similar to 2017 S 1327