Combating Illicit Xylazine Act

Key Points

• This bill would classify xylazine as a Schedule III controlled substance under the Controlled Substances Act, giving the government new tools to regulate and track it. This means tougher penalties for people who manufacture, distribute, or possess the drug illegally.
• Veterinarians, farmers, pet owners, and wildlife program workers can still legally use xylazine for animals. The bill carefully carves out protections so that people who use the drug for legitimate animal care don't face new legal hurdles or registration requirements.
• Drug manufacturers and veterinary practitioners get transition time to comply. Manufacturers won't need expensive new security upgrades, labeling rules kick in after one year, and practitioners have 60 days to register and set up recordkeeping.
• The government will use the ARCOS tracking system to follow xylazine from factory to clinic, helping identify where the drug is being stolen or diverted to the illegal market.
• The U.S. Sentencing Commission is directed to review and potentially create new sentencing guidelines for xylazine-related crimes, taking into account how xylazine is commonly mixed with other drugs like fentanyl.
• The DEA must report to Congress within 18 months on where illicit xylazine is coming from and whether dangerous new analogues exist, with a follow-up report due in 4 years.