Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Controlled Substances topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Arkansas health officials propose adding fentanyl-related substances, xylazine and others to controlled-substances list
Summary
Arkansas Department of Health presented draft amendments to the state's controlled-substances list, proposing multiple new schedule assignments to align with recent DEA listings and state law changes; the legislative committee reviewed the rule without objection.
Arkansas Department of Health officials told a legislative committee they plan to add several synthetic opioids, isomers and other compounds to the state controlled-substances list to mirror recent federal action and state statutory changes.
The department presented the proposed amendments during a committee review, saying the changes include fentanyl-related substances (items 1–9) placed in Schedule I, three additional compounds added by the Drug Enforcement Administration, 2‑methyl‑AP‑237 proposed for Schedule I, positional isomers such as 3‑methylmethcathinone (3‑MMC) and alpha‑pyrrolidinohexanophenone (alpha‑PHP), xylazine proposed for Schedule III with veterinary and pharmacy exceptions, the FDA‑approved antidepressant zuranolone as Schedule IV, and the synthetic cannabinoid ADB‑BUTINACA as a clarified listing.
Why it matters: the amendments are intended to align Arkansas law with DEA scheduling and with recent state legislation; they affect law enforcement, health-care providers, pharmacies and operators in the state's medical marijuana market.
Department staff said the rulemaking began in fall 2024, the Board of Health approved the amendments in October 2024 and the governor's office reviewed the proposals. "We come before you on a regular basis to update the list of controlled substances because by law, we're mandated to update the list every year," Laura Shue, general counsel for the Arkansas Department of Health, said. The department added it has been presenting updates on about a six‑month schedule.
Nick Scholl, section chief for pharmacy services and drug control, summarized the draft scheduling: "Items 1 through 9 are fentanyl related substances ... would be included into Schedule I," and described other additions that follow DEA classifications. On xylazine, Scholl said it "would be included as a Schedule III controlled substance, with exceptions made for veterinary and pharmacy use." On zuranolone, Scholl said the compound is FDA‑approved for postpartum depression and would be mirrored as Schedule IV.
The department also reported it received one public comment from the Cannabis Industry Association and has prepared an agency response. Committee member Senator Payton, who said she serves on the Medical Marijuana Oversight Committee, asked whether the commenter was urging Arkansas to use DEA guidance. Department staff described an effort to incorporate definitions clarified by Act 629 of 2025 and to update scheduling language accordingly. "So incorporating his suggestion is already underway," a department presenter said when asked whether the THC‑A (tetrahydrocannabinolic acid) issue would be addressed.
The committee reviewed the rule as presented; members recorded no objection. The department said it will continue rulemaking steps to finalize the amendments and to address ongoing litigation and recent state acts cited during the review.
Less critical details: the agency said controlled‑substance identification numbers were assigned opposite the newly listed items but specific ID numbers were not read into the record. The draft rule also includes several editorial "cleanup" changes the department described as non‑substantive.
