The U.S. House of Representatives has passed a bill that would ramp up federal criminalization of fentanyl analogues—drawing sharp criticism from drug policy reform advocates, despite certain provisions that were included to streamline research into Schedule I drugs like marijuana and psychedelics.
The Halt All Lethal Trafficking of Fentanyl Act, or HALT Fentanyl Act, cleared the chamber in a 312-108 vote on Thursday. It now heads to the Senate for consideration before potentially heading to President Donald Trump.
The measure would classify fentanyl-related substances as Schedule I drugs under the Controlled Substances Act (CSA), including analogues that haven’t been proven to carry the same risks as the most well-known potent opioid. Advocates say the scheduling action would increase mandatory minimum sentences, reflecting an outmoded war on drugs mentality that would contribute to mass incarceration.
This marks the second time the House has approved the HALT Fentanyl Act. And advocates remain critical of the proposal.
Maritza Perez Medina, director of federal affairs at the Drug Policy Alliance (DPA), said in a press release that the “only thing the HALT Fentanyl Act will do is halt the health approaches that our communities need to stay alive.”
“This counterproductive bill will block health
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