Legislation authored by U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, MD (R-La.), aimed at combating the nation’s ongoing fentanyl crisis, was signed into law by President Donald J. Trump on July 16.
The Halt All Lethal Trafficking of Fentanyl Act, or HALT Fentanyl Act, permanently classifies all fentanyl-related substances as Schedule I drugs under the Controlled Substances Act. The law establishes harsher penalties for trafficking offenses and closes loopholes that previously allowed minor chemical modifications to fentanyl compounds to go unpunished.
“President Trump signed my HALT Fentanyl Act into law—‘one of the more important things that we’ll ever sign!’” Cassidy stated on X. “Thanks, Mr. President, for taking this big step against the scourge of fentanyl. Proud to work alongside you.”
Cassidy, who represents Louisiana in the U.S. Senate, sponsored the bill in January. The legislation was developed in response to rising overdose deaths nationwide, particularly those linked to fentanyl and its analogs. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, fentanyl-related substances accounted for nearly 75,000 overdose deaths in 2023.
Under the new law, fentanyl-related substances are treated the same as other Schedule I drugs — those with high abuse potential and no accepted medical use. Offenses involving 100 grams or more will now trigger a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison.
In addition to tougher sentencing, the HALT Fentanyl Act includes provisions to support scientific research. It creates a streamlined process for researchers studying fentanyl analogs, including easing inspection requirements and allowing certain low-volume manufacturing activities without additional permits.
The law also codifies the legal interpretation from the 2018 United States v. McCray case, which allowed butyryl fentanyl to be treated as an analogue of fentanyl despite differences in classification under existing law.
Cassidy, a physician and longtime advocate for public health policy, has called the law one of the most impactful efforts Congress has made to address the opioid epidemic.
The bipartisan measure received broad support in both chambers of Congress and was signed into law during a White House ceremony attended by lawmakers, law enforcement officials, and the families of victims of fentanyl.