Posted: | September 15, 2023 02:31 PM |
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From: | Senator Devlin J. Robinson and Sen. Lisa Baker |
To: | All Senate members |
Subject: | Updating PA's Controlled Substance Scheduling |
In the near future, we will introduce legislation to allow for the scheduling of controlled substances in Pennsylvania to automatically follow the federal government’s Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) scheduling. This proposal is projected to aid law enforcement in combating the opioid epidemic and provide better safeguards for keeping dangerous substances out of the wrong hands. Drug traffickers are constantly updating these chemical compounds, and Pennsylvania scheduling has struggled with inefficiency. It is virtually impossible for Pennsylvania law enforcement to keep up with every latest chemical concoction, each one more dangerous than the next, in order to prosecute effectively. Our legislation will specifically amend the Controlled Substance, Drug, Device and Cosmetic Act to allow for the automatic rescheduling of controlled substances pursuant to their federal classification which will ensure continuity between state and federal criminal law, and no dangerous substances slip through the cracks into our communities without being controlled and designated as the hazardous compounds they are. It's time to join the several other states that have already implemented this language to fight against drug trafficking. Thank you for your consideration in joining us to co-sponsor this important legislation.  |
Introduced as SB959