Short title

This Act may be cited as the

Stop the Importation and Trafficking of Synthetic Analogues Act of 2017

or the SITSA Act.

Establishment of Schedule A

Section 202 of the Controlled Substances Act (21 U.S.C. 812) is amended— (1)in subsection (a), by striking five schedules of controlled substances, to be known as schedules I, II, III, IV, and V and inserting six schedules of controlled substances, to be known as schedules I, II, III, IV, V, and A; (2)in subsection (b), by adding at the end the following:

(6)

Schedule A

(A)

In general

The drug or substance— (i)has— (I)a chemical structure that is substantially similar to the chemical structure of a controlled substance in schedule I, II, III, IV, or V; and (II)an actual or predicted stimulant, depressant, or hallucinogenic effect on the central nervous system that is substantially similar to or greater than the stimulant, depressant, or hallucinogenic effect on the central nervous system of a controlled substance in schedule I, II, III, IV, or V; and (ii)is not— (I)listed or otherwise included in any other schedule in this section or by regulation of the Attorney General; and (II)with respect to a particular person, subject to an exemption that is in effect for investigational use, for that person, under section 505 of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (21 U.S.C. 355) to the extent conduct with respect to such substance is pursuant to such exemption. (B)

Predicted stimulant, depressant, or hallucinogenic effect

For purpose of this paragraph, a predicted stimulant, depressant, or hallucinogenic effect on the central nervous system may be based on— (i)the chemical structure, structure activity relationships, binding receptor assays, or other relevant scientific information about the substance; (ii) (I)the current or relative potential for abuse of the substance; and (II)the clandestine importation, manufacture, or distribution, or diversion from legitimate channels, of the substance; or (iii)the capacity of the substance to cause a state of dependence, including physical or psychological dependence that is similar to or greater than that of a controlled substance in schedule I, II, III, IV, or V.

; and

(3)in subsection (c)— (A)in the matter preceding schedule I, by striking IV, and V and inserting IV, V, and A; and (B)by adding at the end the following:

Schedule A

(a) Unless specifically excepted or unless listed in another schedule, any of the following substances, as scheduled in accordance with section 201(k)(5): (1)4-fluoroisobutyryl fentanyl. (2)Valeryl fentanyl. (3)4-methoxybutyryl fentanyl. (4)4-methylphenethyl acetyl fentanyl. (5)3-furanyl fentanyl. (6)Ortho-fluorofentanyl. (7)Tetrahydrofuranyl fentanyl. (8)Ocfentanil. (9)4-fluorobutyryl fentanyl. (10)Methoxyacetyl fentanyl. (11)Meta-fluorofentanyl. (12)Isobutyryl fentanyl. (13)Acryl fentanyl.

Temporary and permanent scheduling of schedule A substances

Section 201 of the Controlled Substances Act (21 U.S.C. 811) is amended by adding at the end the following:

(k)

Temporary and permanent scheduling of schedule A substances

(1)The Attorney General may issue a temporary order adding a drug or substance to schedule A if the Attorney General finds that— (A)the drug or other substance satisfies the criteria for being considered a schedule A substance; and (B)adding such drug or substance to schedule A will assist in preventing abuse or misuse of the drug or other substance. (2)A temporary scheduling order issued under paragraph (1) shall not take effect until 30 days after the date of the publication by the Attorney General of a notice in the Federal Register of the intention to issue such order and the grounds upon which such order is to be issued. The temporary scheduling order shall expire not later than 5 years after the date it becomes effective, except that the Attorney General may, during the pendency of proceedings under paragraph (5), extend the temporary scheduling order for up to 180 days. (3)A temporary scheduling order issued under paragraph (1) shall be vacated upon the issuance of a permanent order issued under paragraph (5) with regard to the same substance, or upon the subsequent issuance of any scheduling order under this section. (4)A temporary scheduling order issued under paragraph (1) shall not be subject to judicial review. (5)The Attorney General may, by rule, issue a permanent order adding a drug or other substance to schedule A if such drug or substance satisfies the criteria for being considered a schedule A substance. Such rulemaking may be commenced simultaneously with the issuance of the temporary scheduling order issued under paragraph (1) with regard to the same substance. (6)Before initiating proceedings under paragraph (1) or (5), the Attorney General shall transmit notice of an order proposed to be issued to the Secretary of Health and Human Services. In issuing an order under paragraph (1) or (5), the Attorney General shall take into consideration any comments submitted by the Secretary of Health and Human Services in response to a notice transmitted pursuant to this paragraph. (7)On the date of the publication of a notice in the Federal Register pursuant to paragraph (2), the Attorney General shall transmit the same notice to Congress. The temporary scheduling order shall take effect according to paragraph (2), except that the temporary scheduling order may be disapproved by Act of Congress within 180 days from the date of publication of the notice in the Federal Register.

Penalties

(a)

Controlled Substances Act

The Controlled Substances Act (21 U.S.C. 801 et seq.) is amended— (1)in section 401(b)(1) (21 U.S.C. 841(b)(1)), by adding at the end the following:

(F) (i)In the case of any controlled substance in schedule A, such person shall be sentenced to a term of imprisonment of not more than 10 years and if death or serious bodily injury results from the use of such substance shall be sentenced to a term of imprisonment of not more than 15 years, a fine not to exceed the greater of that authorized in accordance with the provisions of title 18, United States Code, or $500,000 if the defendant is an individual or $2,500,000 if the defendant is other than an individual, or both. (ii)If any person commits such a violation after a prior conviction for a felony drug offense has become final, such person shall be sentenced to a term of imprisonment of not more than 20 years and if death or serious bodily injury results from the use of such substance shall be sentenced to a term of imprisonment of not more than 30 years, a fine not to exceed the greater of twice that authorized in accordance with the provisions of title 18, United States Code, or $1,000,000 if the defendant is an individual or $5,000,000 if the defendant is other than an individual, or both. (iii)Any sentence imposing a term of imprisonment under this subparagraph shall, in the absence of such a prior conviction, impose a term of supervised release of not less than 2 years in addition to such term of imprisonment and shall, if there was such a prior conviction, impose a term of supervised release of not less than 4 years in addition to such term of imprisonment.

;

(2)in section 403(a) (21 U.S.C. 843(a))— (A)in paragraph (8), by striking or at the end; (B)in paragraph (9), by striking the period at the end and inserting ; or; and (C)by inserting after paragraph (9) the following:

(10)to export a substance in violation of the controlled substance laws of the country to which the substance is exported.

; and

(3)in section 404 (21 U.S.C. 844), by inserting after subsection (a) the following:

(b)A person shall not be subject to a criminal or civil penalty under this title or under any other Federal law solely for possession of a schedule A controlled substance.

(b)

Controlled Substances Import and Export Act

Section 1010(b) of the Controlled Substances Import and Export Act (21 U.S.C. 960(b)) is amended by adding at the end the following:

(8)In the case of a violation under subsection (a) involving a controlled substance in schedule A, the person committing such violation shall be sentenced to a term of imprisonment of not more than 20 years and if death or serious bodily injury results from the use of such substance shall be sentenced to a term of imprisonment of not more than life, a fine not to exceed the greater of that authorized in accordance with the provisions of title 18, United States Code, or $1,000,000 if the defendant is an individual or $5,000,000 if the defendant is other than an individual, or both. If any person commits such a violation after a prior conviction for a felony drug offense has become final, such person shall be sentenced to a term of imprisonment of not more than 30 years and if death or serious bodily injury results from the use of such substance shall be sentenced to not more than life imprisonment, a fine not to exceed the greater of twice that authorized in accordance with the provisions of title 18, United States Code, or $2,000,000 if the defendant is an individual or $10,000,000 if the defendant is other than an individual, or both. Notwithstanding section 3583 of title 18, United States Code, any sentence imposing a term of imprisonment under this paragraph shall, in the absence of such a prior conviction, impose a term of supervised release of not less than 3 years in addition to such term of imprisonment and shall, if there was such a prior conviction, impose a term of supervised release of not less than 6 years in addition to such term of imprisonment. Notwithstanding the prior sentence, and notwithstanding any other provision of law, the court shall not place on probation or suspend the sentence of any person sentenced under the provisions of this paragraph which provide for a mandatory term of imprisonment if death or serious bodily injury results.

False labeling of schedule A controlled substances

(a)

In general

Section 305 of the Controlled Substances Act (21 U.S.C. 825) is amended by adding at the end the following:

(f)

False labeling of schedule A controlled substances

(1)It shall be unlawful to import, export, manufacture, distribute, dispense, or possess with intent to manufacture, distribute, or dispense, a schedule A substance or product containing a schedule A substance, unless the substance or product bears a label clearly identifying a schedule A substance or product containing a schedule A substance by the nomenclature used by the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC). (2) (A)A product described in subparagraph (B) is exempt from the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry nomenclature requirement of this subsection if such product is labeled in the manner required under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act. (B)A product is described in this subparagraph if the product— (i)is the subject of an approved application as described in section 505(b) or (j) of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act; or (ii)is exempt from the provisions of section 505 of such Act relating to new drugs because— (I)it is intended solely for investigational use as described in section 505(i) of such Act; and (II)such product is being used exclusively for purposes of a clinical trial that is the subject of an effective investigational new drug application.

(b)

Penalties

Section 402 of the Controlled Substances Act (21 U.S.C. 842) is amended— (1)in subsection (a)(16), by inserting or subsection (f) after subsection (e); and (2)in subsection (c)(1)(D), by inserting or a schedule A substance after anabolic steroid.

Registration requirements for handlers of schedule A substances

(a)

Controlled Substances Act

Section 303 of the Controlled Substances Act (21 U.S.C. 823) is amended by adding at the end the following:

(k) (1)The Attorney General shall register an applicant to manufacture schedule A substances if— (A)the applicant demonstrates that the schedule A substances will be used for research, analytical, or industrial purposes approved by the Attorney General; and (B)the Attorney General determines that such registration is consistent with the public interest and with the United States obligations under international treaties, conventions, or protocols in effect on the date of enactment of this subsection. (2)In determining the public interest under paragraph (1)(B), the Attorney General shall consider— (A)maintenance of effective controls against diversion of particular controlled substances and any controlled substance in schedule A compounded therefrom into other than legitimate medical, scientific, research, or industrial channels, by limiting the importation and bulk manufacture of such controlled substances to a number of establishments which can produce an adequate and uninterrupted supply of these substances under adequately competitive conditions for legitimate medical, scientific, research, and industrial purposes; (B)compliance with applicable State and local law; (C)promotion of technical advances in the art of manufacturing substances described in subparagraph (A) and the development of new substances; (D)prior conviction record of applicant under Federal and State laws relating to the manufacture, distribution, or dispensing of substances described in paragraph (A); (E)past experience in the manufacture of controlled substances, and the existence in the establishment of effective control against diversion; and (F)such other factors as may be relevant to and consistent with the public health and safety. (3)If an applicant is registered to manufacture controlled substances in schedule I or II under subsection (a), the applicant shall not be required to apply for a separate registration under this subsection. (l) (1)The Attorney General shall register an applicant to distribute schedule A substances— (A)if the applicant demonstrates that the schedule A substances will be used for research, analytical, or industrial purposes approved by the Attorney General; and (B)unless the Attorney General determines that the issuance of such registration is inconsistent with the public interest. (2)In determining the public interest under paragraph (1)(B), the Attorney General shall consider— (A)maintenance of effective control against diversion of particular controlled substances into other than legitimate medical, scientific, and industrial channels; (B)compliance with applicable State and local law; (C)prior conviction record of applicant under Federal or State laws relating to the manufacture, distribution, or dispensing of substances described in subparagraph (A); (D)past experience in the distribution of controlled substances; and (E)such other factors as may be relevant to and consistent with the public health and safety. (3)If an applicant is registered to distribute a controlled substance in schedule I or II under subsection (b), the applicant shall not be required to apply for a separate registration under this subsection. (m) (1)Not later than 90 days after the date on which a substance is placed in schedule A, any practitioner who was engaged in research on the substance before the placement of the substance in schedule A and any manufacturer or distributor who was handling the substance before the placement of the substance in schedule A shall register with the Attorney General. (2) (A)Not later than 60 days after the date on which the Attorney General receives an application for registration to conduct research on a schedule A substance, the Attorney General shall— (i)grant, or initiate proceedings under section 304(c) to deny, the application; or (ii)request supplemental information from the applicant. (B)Not later than 30 days after the date on which the Attorney General receives supplemental information requested under subparagraph (A)(ii) in connection with an application described in subparagraph (A), the Attorney General shall grant or deny the application. (n) (1)The Attorney General shall register a scientific investigator or a qualified research institution to conduct research with controlled substances in schedule A in accordance with this subsection. In evaluating applications for such registration, the Attorney General shall apply the criteria set forth in subsection (f) of this section that apply to practitioners seeking a registration to conduct research with a schedule I controlled substance, except that the applicant shall not be required to submit a research protocol. (2)If the applicant is not currently registered under subsection (f) to conduct research with a schedule I controlled substance, the Attorney General shall refer the application to the Secretary, who shall determine whether the applicant will be engaged in bona fide research and is qualified to conduct such research. (3)If the applicant is currently registered under subsection (f) to conduct research with a schedule I controlled substance, the applicant will be considered qualified to conduct research with controlled substances in schedule A and the Attorney General shall modify the applicant's registration to include schedule A controlled substances in accordance with this paragraph. The applicant shall notify the Attorney General of his intent to conduct research with a controlled substance in schedule A. Upon receiving such notification, the Attorney General shall modify the practitioner’s existing registration to authorize research with schedule A controlled substances, unless the Attorney General determines that the registration modification would be inconsistent with the public interest based on the criteria of subsection (f). (4)Registrations issued under this subsection to a qualified research institution will apply to all agents and employees of that institution acting within the scope of their professional practice. (5)At least thirty days prior to conducting any research with a controlled substance in schedule A, the registrant shall provide the Attorney General with written notification of the following: (A)The name of and drug code for each substance. (B)The name of each individual with access to each substance. (C)The amount of each substance. (D)Other similar information the Attorney General may require. (6)The quantity of a schedule A controlled substance possessed by a person registered under this subsection shall be appropriate for the research being conducted, subject to the additional limitations set forth in this paragraph. To reduce the risk of diversion, the Attorney General may establish limitations on the quantity of schedule A controlled substances that may be manufactured or possessed for purposes of research under this subsection and shall publish such limitations on the website of the Drug Enforcement Administration. A person registered under this subsection may, based on legitimate research needs, apply to the Attorney General to manufacture or possess an amount greater than that so specified by the Attorney General. The Attorney General shall specify the manner in which such applications shall be submitted. The Attorney General shall act on an application filed under this subparagraph within 30 days of receipt of such application. If the Attorney General fails to act within 30 days, the registrant shall be allowed to manufacture and possess up to the amount requested. The Attorney General shall have the authority to reverse the increase for cause. (7)The Attorney General shall by regulation specify the manner in which applications for registration under this subsection shall be submitted. (8)Registrants authorized under this subsection may manufacture and possess schedule A controlled substances up to the approved amounts only for use in their own research setting or institution. Manufacturing for use in any other setting or institution shall require a manufacturer’s registration under section 303(a).

(b)

Controlled Substances Import and Export Act

Section 1008 of the Controlled Substances Import and Export Act (21 U.S.C. 958) is amended by adding at the end the following:

(j) (1)The Attorney General shall register an applicant to import or export a schedule A substance if— (A)the applicant demonstrates that the schedule A substances will be used for research, analytical, or industrial purposes approved by the Attorney General; and (B)the Attorney General determines that such registration is consistent with the public interest and with the United States obligations under international treaties, conventions, or protocols in effect on the date of enactment of this subsection. (2)In determining the public interest under paragraph (1)(B), the Attorney General shall consider the factors described in subparagraphs (A) through (F) of section 303(k)(2). (3)If an applicant is registered to import or export a controlled substance in schedule I or II under subsection (a), the applicant shall not be required to apply for a separate registration under this subsection.

Additional conforming amendments

(a)

Controlled Substances Act

The Controlled Substances Act (21 U.S.C. 801 et seq.) is amended— (1)in section 303(c) (21 U.S.C. 823(c))— (A)by striking subsections (a) and (b) and inserting subsection (a), (b), (k), or (l); and (B)by striking schedule I or II and inserting schedule I, II, or A; (2)in section 306 (21 U.S.C. 826)— (A)in subsection (a), in the first sentence, by striking schedules I and II and inserting schedules I, II, and A; (B)in subsection (b), in the second sentence, by striking schedule I or II and inserting schedule I, II, or A; (C)in subsection (c), in the first sentence, by striking schedules I and II and inserting schedules I, II, and A; (D)in subsection (d), in the first sentence, by striking schedule I or II and inserting schedule I, II, or A; (E)in subsection (e), in the first sentence, by striking schedule I or II and inserting schedule I, II, or A; and (F)in subsection (f), in the first sentence, by striking schedules I and II and inserting schedules I, II, and A; (3)in section 308(a) (21 U.S.C. 828(a)), by striking schedule I or II and inserting schedule I, II, or A; (4)in section 402(b) (21 U.S.C. 842(b)), in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by striking schedule I or II and inserting schedule I, II, or A; (5)in section 403(a)(1) (21 U.S.C. 843(a)(1)), by striking schedule I or II and inserting schedule I, II, or A; and (6)in section 511(f) (21 U.S.C. 881(f)), by striking schedule I or II each place it appears and inserting schedule I, II, or A. (b)

Controlled Substances Import Export Act

The Controlled Substances Import and Export Act (21 U.S.C. 951 et seq.) is amended— (1)in section 1002(a) (21 U.S.C. 952(a))— (A)in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by striking schedule I or II and inserting schedule I, II, or A; and (B)in paragraph (2), by striking schedule I or II and inserting schedule I, II, or A; (2)in section 1003 (21 U.S.C. 953)— (A)in subsection (c), in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by striking schedule I or II and inserting schedule I, II, or A; and (B)in subsection (d), by striking schedule I or II and inserting schedule I, II, or A; (3)in section 1004(1) (21 U.S.C. 954(1)), by striking schedule I and inserting schedule I or A; (4)in section 1005 (21 U.S.C. 955), by striking schedule I or II and inserting schedule I, II, or A; and (5)in section 1009(a) (21 U.S.C. 959(a)), by striking schedule I or II and inserting schedule I, II, or A.

Controlled substance analogues

Section 102 of the Controlled Substances Act (21 U.S.C. 802) is amended— (1)in paragraph (6), by striking or V and inserting V, or A; (2)in paragraph (14)— (A)by striking schedule I(c) and and inserting schedule I(c), schedule A, and; and (B)by striking schedule I(c), and inserting schedule I(c) and schedule A,; and (3)in paragraph (32)(A), by striking (32)(A) and all that follows through clause (iii) and inserting the following:

(32) (A)Except as provided in subparagraph (C), the term controlled substance analogue means a substance whose chemical structure is substantially similar to the chemical structure of a controlled substance in schedule I or II— (i)which has a stimulant, depressant, or hallucinogenic effect on the central nervous system that is substantially similar to or greater than the stimulant, depressant, or hallucinogenic effect on the central nervous system of a controlled substance in schedule I or II; or (ii)with respect to a particular person, which such person represents or intends to have a stimulant, depressant, or hallucinogenic effect on the central nervous system that is substantially similar to or greater than the stimulant, depressant, or hallucinogenic effect on the central nervous system of a controlled substance in schedule I or II.

Amendment to the sentencing guidelines

Section 2D1.1 of the Federal Sentencing Guidelines is amended, in Application Note 6 (Analogues and Controlled Substances Not Referenced in this Guideline) of the Commentary, by striking In determining the most closely related controlled substance, the court shall, to the extent practicable, consider the following: and inserting the following:

In determining the most closely related controlled substance and the applicable guideline or drug equivalence, the court shall— (A)if Attorney General has provided guidance on the appropriate sentencing equivalency or ratio to a controlled substance that is referenced in the guidelines through publication in the Federal Register (whether such guidance is included in or separate from any notice of proposed temporary or permanent scheduling of such substance under section 201 of the Controlled Substances Act (21 U.S.C. 811)), apply any such sentencing equivalency or ratio; and (B)in the absence of guidance with respect to a substance or group of substances as described in paragraph (A), use equivalencies for the following structural classes of substances as if they were included on the Drug Equivalency Tables: Drug ClassMarihuana Equivalency of 1 gm of subject substanceSynthetic Opioids1 gm = 10 kgSynthetic Cannabinoids1 gm = 167 gmSynthetic Cathinones1 gm = 380 gmTryptamine1 gm = 80 gmPhenethylamines1 gm = 2.5 kgPiperazines1 gm = 2 kgBenzofurans1 gm = 500 gmArylcyclohexylamines (PCP-like substances)1 gm = 1 kgMethylphenidate analogs1 gm = 100 gmBenzodiazepines1 unit (as defined in Note (F) to the Drug Quantity Table in 2D1.1) = 0.0625 gm

In the case of a substance for which paragraphs (A) and (B) above are not applicable, the court shall determine an equivalency or ratio by considering the following factors, to the extent practicable:

10.

Rules of construction

Nothing in this Act, or the amendments made by this Act, may be construed to limit— (1)the prosecution of offenses involving controlled substance analogues under the Controlled Substances Act (21 U.S.C. 801 et seq.); or (2)the authority of the Attorney General to temporarily or permanently schedule, reschedule, or decontrol controlled substances under provisions of section 201 of the Controlled Substances Act (21 U.S.C. 811) that are in effect on the day before the date of enactment of this Act.

11.

Study by Comptroller General

Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United States shall complete a study and submit a report to the Committees on the Judiciary of the House of Representatives and of the Senate regarding the costs associated with the amendments made by section 4, including— (1)the annual amounts expended by Federal agencies in carrying out the amendments; (2)The costs associated with arrests, trials, convictions, imprisonment, or imposition of other sanctions in accordance with the amendments; and (3)the impact (including the fiscal impact) of the amendments on existing correctional facilities and the likelihood that those amendments will create a need for additional capacity for housing prisoners.