Highlights:
- Fentanyl Analogues Permanently Banned: The HALT Fentanyl Act classifies all fentanyl-related substances as Schedule I drugs, carrying the harshest penalties under federal law.
- Tougher Penalties for Traffickers: Trafficking 100 grams or more triggers a 10-year mandatory minimum sentence, closing loopholes exploited by cartels and dealers.
- Streamlined Research Access: New provisions simplify Schedule I research regulations while reaffirming strong legal precedent to prevent abuse.
In a move that could save millions of American lives, President Donald Trump announced he will sign the Halt All Lethal Trafficking of Fentanyl Act—better known as the HALT Fentanyl Act. This legislation takes an aggressive stance against the drug crisis that has ravaged communities nationwide, permanently classifying fentanyl-related substances as Schedule I controlled substances under the Controlled Substances Act.
Schedule I drugs are defined as having a high potential for abuse and no accepted medical use, carrying the strictest regulatory and criminal penalties. The Act ensures that fentanyl analogues—synthetic variations responsible for countless overdose deaths—face the same quantity thresholds and mandatory sentencing guidelines as fentanyl itself. For example, possession or trafficking of 100 grams or more triggers a 10-year mandatory minimum prison sentence.
Beyond enforcement, the bill also streamlines the research process for Schedule I substances, reducing bureaucratic hurdles for legitimate scientific study. Provisions include single-site registrations for related research facilities, inspection waivers in certain cases, and limited manufacturing allowances for small-scale research without separate licensing.
The legislation reaffirms the court’s interpretation in United States v. McCray (2018), which classified butyryl fentanyl as an analogue, reinforcing Congress’s commitment to closing loopholes exploited by traffickers.
President Trump’s move underscores his “America First” commitment to dismantle the fentanyl pipeline—much of it originating from China and Mexico—and protect American families from one of the deadliest scourges of our time. This is law and order at work, delivering real action against a synthetic killer destroying lives across this nation.