Sponsors (5)
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Amends 21 U.S.C. 952(a) by inserting additional text in the matter preceding paragraph (1) and by inserting additional text after paragraph (2) (exact inserted text not shown in section).
Amends 21 U.S.C. 953 by inserting additional text in subsection (c) (in the matter preceding paragraph (1)) and inserting additional text in subsection (d) (exact inserted text not shown in section).
Amends 21 U.S.C. 954(1) by inserting additional text in the matter preceding subparagraph (A) (exact inserted text not shown in section).
Amends 21 U.S.C. 955 by inserting additional text after specified language (exact insertion point/content not shown in section).
Amends 21 U.S.C. 959(a) by inserting additional text after specified language in subsection (a) (exact inserted text not shown in section).
Adds a new subsection (k) to 21 U.S.C. 811 establishing procedures for temporary and permanent scheduling of 'schedule A' substances, including criteria for temporary scheduling, delayed effective date, duration and extension limits for temporary orders, a prohibition on judicial review of temporary orders, a timeline and limitation for permanent scheduling (including HHS consultation and a 3-year threshold), and notice requirements to and from the Secretary of Health and Human Services.
Amends 21 U.S.C. 812 to add a new "Schedule A" (creating six schedules total), define criteria for Schedule A (imported or offered for import substances with chemical similarity and actual or predicted stimulant, depressant, or hallucinogenic effects substantially similar to or greater than scheduled substances, and not listed elsewhere), add factors for predicting effects, and add Schedule A to the list of schedules and schedule listings (including substances temporarily or permanently scheduled by the Attorney General under section 201(k)).
Adds a new subsection (j) to 21 U.S.C. 958 establishing registration requirements and public-interest factors for applicants to import or export substances placed in 'schedule A', including criteria for approval and a provision that applicants already registered for schedule I or II import/export need not apply separately.
Adds new paragraph(s) to subsection (e) of 21 U.S.C. 822 establishing rules for persons conducting research on a substance at the time it is added to schedule A, including allowance to continue research under certain investigational-use exemptions, application and expedited hearing timelines, and conditions under which a researcher registered for schedule A may conduct research with another schedule I substance.
Adds a new subsection (f) to 21 U.S.C. 825 establishing a requirement that imported or exported "schedule A" substances or products containing such substances intended for manufacture, distribution, or dispensing bear labels using IUPAC nomenclature, with exemptions for products labeled under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act and for certain FDA-approved or investigational products.
And 2 more affected sections...
Creates a new "Schedule A" under the federal Controlled Substances Act for certain imported or import‑related substances that are chemically similar to listed controlled drugs and that have similar or stronger stimulant, depressant, or hallucinogenic effects. It gives the Attorney General power to place substances temporarily into Schedule A (with a path to permanence), adds new criminal penalties for trafficking and repeat offenses involving Schedule A substances (including very large fines and possible life terms where death or serious bodily injury results), requires IUPAC chemical names on labels for import/export of Schedule A substances (with narrow exemptions), and establishes registration, import/export, and research rules for those substances. Also creates a process for people convicted or awaiting sentence for Schedule A offenses to petition for reduced sentences if a substance is later descheduled or moved to a less‑punitive schedule; preserves existing analogue prosecutions and the Attorney General’s prior scheduling powers that existed before this Act.
Amend Section 202(a) of the Controlled Substances Act to change the number and names of schedules from “five schedules … I, II, III, IV, and V” to “six schedules … I, II, III, IV, V, and A.”
Add a new subsection (b)(6) defining “Schedule A.”
Schedule A criterion (A)(i): The drug or substance is or has been imported, or is offered for import, into the United States.
Schedule A criterion (A)(ii)(I): The substance has a chemical structure that is substantially similar to the chemical structure of a controlled substance in schedule I, II, III, IV, or V.
Schedule A criterion (A)(ii)(II): The substance has an actual or predicted stimulant, depressant, or hallucinogenic effect on the central nervous system that is substantially similar to or greater than that of a controlled substance in schedule I, II, III, IV, or V.
Who is affected and how:
Scientific researchers and research institutions: Directly affected—must apply for updated research registrations to continue lawful study of substances placed in Schedule A. The bill allows ongoing research to continue during short administrative windows but imposes deadlines and new conditions on research access.
Drug and chemical manufacturers, importers, exporters, distributors, pharmacies, and wholesalers: Directly affected—must comply with new registration requirements, follow IUPAC labeling rules for Schedule A substances, and face enhanced criminal penalties (including for corporate actors) if they traffic or mislabel regulated products.
Individuals who possess, import, export, or traffic in Schedule A substances: Directly affected—face harsher statutory penalties, longer prison terms, higher fines, and stricter supervised release rules, with mandatory enhanced punishment when death or serious bodily injury results.
Federal law enforcement and prosecutors: Affected by expanded statutory authority and new mandatory sentencing structures that change charging and plea bargaining dynamics for Schedule A offenses; prosecutors gain stronger statutory tools for severe cases tied to death/serious injury.
People currently convicted or awaiting sentence for covered offenses: Benefited by a new resentencing petition pathway if a Schedule A substance is later descheduled or moved to a schedule with lower penalties; courts must hold prompt hearings and may reduce sentences retroactively as if the new schedule applied when the offense occurred.
Public health and regulatory agencies (HHS and DOJ components): Affected by required coordination on scheduling decisions and by new procedural duties tied to temporary/permanent scheduling, registration standards, and exemptions tied to FDA labeling/approval rules.
Overall effects:
Expand sections to see detailed analysis
Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
Introduced November 20, 2025 by Charles Ernest Grassley · Last progress November 20, 2025
Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
Introduced in Senate