Nitazene Control Act of 2025
The Nitazene Control Act of 2025 would permanently place the class of benzimidazole-opioids known as nitazenes (2-benzylbenzimidazole opioids) into Schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act. The bill adds a broad, class-wide definition to Schedule I that covers nitazenes, their isomers, esters, ethers, salts, and related compounds, including numerous structural variants. It also requires these substances to exhibit mu-opioid receptor agonist activity. The measure explicitly treats substances that were previously scheduled on a temporary basis as permanently scheduled as of enactment and notes that research using these substances must still follow proper registration and scheduling compliance. Additionally, the bill acknowledges that pathways created by the HALT Fentanyl Act for research involving Schedule I substances would apply to nitazenes as well. In short, the bill aims to close gaps in enforcement by making nitazenes and likely new analogs permanently illegal under Schedule I, while clarifying research pathways and ongoing regulatory requirements.
Key Points
- 1Permanently schedules nitazenes as Schedule I under the Controlled Substances Act, making their possession, manufacture, and distribution subject to strict control without medical acceptance.
- 2Establishes a broad Schedule I class for 2-Benzylbenzimidazole opioids, including their isomers, esters, ethers, salts, and a wide range of structural variants, provided they are mu-opioid receptor agonists.
- 3Includes specific named nitazenes (e.g., etonitazene, clonitazene, metonitazene, isotonitazene, protonitazene, and several others) within the permanent scheduling framework.
- 4Removes temporary scheduling status for substances that were temporarily scheduled under prior provisions, deeming them permanently scheduled as of enactment.
- 5States that the bill does not authorize new research without proper registration and scheduling compliance, preserving regulatory safeguards; notes that research pathways under the HALT Fentanyl Act apply to scheduled nitazenes as well.