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Committee advances House Bill 29 to floor to add synthetic opioids, cannabinoids and steroids to Idaho schedules
Summary
The Senate Health and Welfare Committee voted to send House Bill 29 to the Senate floor with a due‑pass recommendation after a departmental presentation outlining proposed scheduling changes to the state's Controlled Substances Act.
The Senate Health and Welfare Committee voted to send House Bill 29 to the floor with a due‑pass recommendation after a presentation from Nikki Chopsky, health professions bureau chief at the Division of Occupational and Professional Licenses.
Chopsky told the committee that the bill updates Idaho's controlled‑substances schedules to reflect recent federal scheduling actions and to add specific compounds not previously listed in state statute. "This bill in accordance with Idaho code 37‑2702(a) seeks to update the Idaho controlled substances act with the addition of illicit substances to Schedule I with no approved medical use," Chopsky said.
Chopsky summarized the changes by drug class, as described to the committee: 10 synthetic fentanyl‑type substances proposed for Schedule I; seven synthetic cannabinoids/THC‑related substances for Schedule I; five synthetic benzodiazepines for Schedule I; two synthetic stimulants (commonly called "bath salts") for Schedule I; 23 man‑made testosterone derivatives (anabolic steroids) proposed for Schedule III; and zuranolone (brand name Zuranova/Zuranone referenced in testimony), an FDA‑approved medication for postpartum depression, proposed for Schedule IV.
Chopsky said the Board of Pharmacy and the department review federal scheduling and consider factors such as overdose and abuse data before recommending state scheduling. She told senators that Idaho does not incorporate the federal DEA list by reference and so the Legislature reviews scheduling additions annually.
Senator Wintrow moved to send House Bill 29 to the floor with a due‑pass recommendation; the motion was seconded and carried on a voice vote with no recorded opposition.
Chopsky told the committee she anticipated no fiscal impact to the general fund or dedicated funds from the scheduling changes and asked the committee to forward the bill to the full Senate. The committee complied and the bill will be placed on the Senate calendar for further consideration.
