A powerful animal sedative known as “tranq” is the target of new federal legislation as lawmakers scramble to address a gruesome surge in overdose deaths and severe physical injuries across the United States.
Senator Ashley Moody (R-FL) is cosponsoring the Combating Illicit Xylazine Act, a bipartisan push to classify the veterinary drug as a Schedule III controlled substance.
Xylazine, a tranquilizer used by veterinarians for horses and cattle, has become the primary additive found in the nation’s illicit fentanyl supply.
Because it is not an opioid, its effects cannot be reversed by Narcan, making accidental exposures significantly more lethal. Beyond the risk of respiratory failure, users often develop “necrosis”—deep, rotting skin ulcers at injection sites that can lead to limb amputations.
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“As the former Florida Attorney General, I was one of the first to warn Floridians about the dangers of xylazine—a dangerous substance intended for veterinary use for large animals, that is being found mixed in with illicit fentanyl powder,” Senator Moody stated. “I’m proud to continue this fight in the U.S. Senate by cosponsoring the Combatting Xylazine Act to keep Floridians safe.”
The scale of the crisis is reflected in recent federal data. In 2023, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) reported that 30% of seized fentanyl powder contained xylazine, an increase from 25% the year prior.
Laboratory analysis shows a staggering five-fold increase in the presence of the drug in fentanyl tablets since 2020. As of late 2024, the substance has been detected in 49 out of 50 states.
The proposed legislation, introduced on February 12, 2025, aims to give law enforcement more teeth without disrupting the agricultural economy. Under the bill, the DEA would gain the authority to track the manufacturing of xylazine through the ARCOS system, while the U.S. Sentencing Commission would review penalties for those caught trafficking the drug.
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The bill protects the “ultimate user” in the veterinary field. It ensures that farmers, ranchers, and veterinarians can continue to legally possess and use the sedative for livestock.
To ease the transition, the act provides a 60-day window for practitioners to register and a one-year grace period for manufacturers to update labeling and packaging requirements.
If passed, the Attorney General and the DEA would be required to submit a comprehensive report to Congress within 18 months. This report would detail where the drug is being diverted from, its points of origin, and whether any new chemical analogues are emerging as a threat to public health.
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