President Donald Trump signed the Halt All Lethal Trafficking (HALT) of Fentanyl Act in a bid to address the fentanyl crisis. The bill has been lauded as vital to preventing countless deaths and protecting Americans nationwide.
The HALT Fentanyl Act permanently places fentanyl-related substances as a class into Schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act. For context, a Schedule I controlled substance is a drug or substance with a high potential for abuse, no currently accepted medical value, and is subject to regulatory controls.
Under the HALT Fentanyl Act, offenses involving fentanyl-related substances are triggered by the same quantity thresholds and subject to the same penalties as offenses involving fentanyl analogues. This is meant to guarantee a minimum of a ten-year prison sentence for crimes involving fentanyl.
The bill establishes a new, alternative registration process for Schedule I research and solidifies the Congressional stance on the Controlled Substances Act related to the District Court case, United States v. McCray. In this case, the conclusion was that butyryl fentanyl can be considered an analogue of fentanyl.
The bill has garnered praise from across the country, but especially from Republicans in Georgia. Lt. Gov. Burt Jones praised President Trump for protecting millions of people, especially the youth.
Lt. Gov. Jones also compared the HALT Fentanyl Act to a law that Georgia adopted in May of 2024. Jones stated, “Proud to see national action that mirrors what we accomplished in Georgia with Austin’s Law!”
Attorney General Chris Carr also came out on X to congratulate the President on signing the bill. He said that he was proud to join the President in this effort to protect communities from the deadly influx of fentanyl.
AG Carr continued, “Grateful for our partners in the (The White House) & (The Justice Department) who are committed to enforcing the law & keeping people safe!”
