Bill to combat illicit fentanyl signed into law

President Donald Trump on July 16 signed into law the HALT Fentanyl Act (S 331), which permanently classifies fentanyl-related substances as Schedule I drugs, imposing stricter regulatory and enforcement measures. Notably, the bill does not affect medical-grade fentanyl, which will remain a Schedule II drug. This legislation is part of ongoing efforts to combat the rise in overdose deaths caused by illicit fentanyl. A temporary DEA order that classified these substances as Schedule I in 2018 was set to expire in September.