Delegate seeks civil penalties on sale of animal tranquilizers tied to rising overdose deaths

Delegate Pittman Pippy told the committee House Bill 1109 would ban the sale or distribution of xylazine and medetomidine except for veterinary uses and impose civil penalties enforced by the Attorney General, with penalties deposited in the state substance abuse fund.

The sponsor described rising prevalence of the drugs in overdose deaths and told members that, in Maryland, some overdose postmortem testing shows xylazine or medetomidine present in a substantial share of deaths. She cited a 2021 example in which analysts identified more deaths with xylazine/metetomidine than with heroin in a given period. Witnesses from law enforcement and local health departments reported encountering the drugs in many overdose scenes; sponsors emphasized the substances often blunt the effect of naloxone and complicate resuscitation.

The bill would not criminalize possession for veterinary practice but would require sellers to prove legitimate veterinary purpose; the sponsor said the Attorney General supports using civil penalties rather than criminal sentencing and proposed fines be placed into the state substance abuse fund. Committee members asked whether veterinarians or retailers already must record certain controlled substances and whether the department or other agencies could pursue scheduling. The sponsor said she intended the bill as an intermediary step to reduce non‑veterinary diversion without impeding veterinary care.

Ending — The sponsor said she would work with the Attorney General and the department on implementation details; no committee vote occurred during the hearing.