Pennsylvania House votes to criminalize animal sedative xylazine while keeping it available to veterinarians
Legislation to keep an animal tranquilizer accessible for its intended use by veterinarians but criminalize it in combination with other drugs was approved by the Pennsylvania state House on Wednesday.
The bill passed and was sent to the state Senate on a vote of 169-34.
Xylazine is a prescription sedative that veterinarians use to safely handle and treat farm animals, wildlife, zoo animals and household pets like cats and dogs.
Officials say the pain-relieving, muscle-relaxing drug, sometimes referred to as "tranq," is often misused by being added to fentanyl and heroin. It was detected in 3,000 U.S. drug deaths in 2021, according to the federal Drug Enforcement Administration.
Democratic Gov. Josh Shapiro made Pennsylvania among the states that have moved to restrict access to the drug. He ordered it to be listed as a "schedule III" drug under Pennsylvania's controlled substance law in April.
The classification caused vets to worry that the drug would unavailable in the state for its intended purpose. Advocates for the legislation passed by the state House say that it would keep the drug available, while targeting its use on the streets.
"We cannot wait to see how bad this will get before we act," said Rep. Kristin Marcell, R-Bucks.
Under the legislation, the bill would criminalize the illicit use of the drug — with potential imprisonment of up to five years and a fine of up to $15,000. The proposal would also require that the drug be stored safely when used professionally, to prevent theft or improper access.
Some lawmakers said they were concerned that the criminalization of the drug would do more harm than good, warning that it would put more people in prison.
"I cannot in good conscience open more individuals to having their medical conditions addressed through an unequipped criminal system," said Rep. Emily Kinkead, D-Allegheny, who voted against it.
The Pennsylvania Department of Health has said xylazine contributed to 90 overdose deaths in the state in 2017, but in 2021, it contributed to 575 -- an increase of over 600% in just five years.
Last month, Beaver County District Attorney David Lozier issued a warning, saying xylazine was found in two people who had recently died. A xylazine overdose cannot be reversed with Narcan.
Westmoreland County Coroner Tim Carson said that toxicology results so far this year reveal more than 50 percent of overdoses tested positive for xylazine, a 25 percent increase from all of last year.
The FDA says xylazine is not safe for humans to use. It may result in skin ulcers and abscesses that can lead to amputation. The U.S. has named xylazine as an "emerging threat" when it's mixed with the powerful opioid fentanyl.