Fentanyl-Xylazine Mix Declared "Emerging Theat," AZ Governor Vetoes Fentanyl Mandatory Minimums, More... (4/12/23)

A Maryland bill blocking police searches based on the odor of marijuana is on the governor's desk, a Delaware bill to end civil asset forfeiture reform is filed, and more.

Xylazine is used to accentuate the fentanyl high, but has serious side effects. (Creative Commons)

Maryland Legislature Approves Bill Blocking Police Searches Based on Marijuana Odor. With a final House concurrence vote just minutes before the legislative session ended money, lawmakers approved House Bill 1071 that bars police from using the smell or possession of marijuana alone as the basis of a search. The bill had passed the House last month, but was revised in the Senate Monday, necessitating the final House vote. Police "may not initiate a stop or a search of a person, a motor vehicle, or a vessel" based only on the smell of burnt or unburnt marijuana, the possession of a personal use amount of marijuana or the presence of money near marijuana without additional evidence of intent to distribute. The bill also lowers the fine for public pot smoking from $250 to $50. The bill now joins the broader marijuana commerce bill awaiting the signature of Gov. Wes Moore (D).

Asset Forfeiture

Delaware Civil Asset Forfeiture Reform Bill Filed. House Democrats last week filed a bill aimed at reining in asset forfeiture in the state, House Bill 115. The bill from Rep. Kim Williams (D) would require that property owners be convicted of a crime before seizure could occur. The bill would also create stricter guidelines for civil asset forfeiture and tighter legislature oversight over civil asset forfeiture revenues. In the three-year period between 2018 and 2021, the state saw more than 2,500 cases of civil asset forfeiture, including 170 where property owners were not even arrested, let alone convicted of a crime.

Drug Policy

Biden Administration Designates Fentanyl Combined with Xylazine as an Emerging Threat to US. On Wednesday, Dr. Rahul Gupta, Director of the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP -- the drug czar's office), has officially designated fentanyl adulterated or associated with xylazine as an emerging threat to the United States. Xylazine is a non-opioid tranquilizer approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for veterinary use but not human use. This designation comes after careful review of the impact of xylazine on the opioid crisis, including its growing role in overdose deaths in every region of the United States.

"As a physician, I am deeply troubled about the devastating impact of the fentanyl-xylazine combination, and as President Biden's drug policy advisor, I am immensely concerned about what this threat means for the Nation," said Dr. Gupta. "That's why the Biden-Harris Administration is using this designation authority for the first time since it passed Congress in 2018. By declaring xylazine combined with fentanyl as an emerging threat, we are being proactive in our approach to save lives and creating new tools for public health and public safety officials and communities across the Nation. To parents, loved ones, community leaders, and those affected by xylazine use: I want you to know that help is on the way."

But not a safe drug supply.

Arizona Governor Vetoes Fentanyl Mandatory Minimums Bill. Gov. Katie Hobbs (D) on Tuesday vetoed Senate Bill1027, which would have placed a mandatory minimum of 10 years in prison on the first offense, and 15 years on the second offense, for anyone convicted of possessing, distributing, transferring, selling, or manufacturing heroin, fentanyl, or fentanyl analogs. "Last week, I signed a bill continuing Arizona's Good Samaritan law," Hobbs wrote in her veto message. "I fear this bill, particularly Section 2, would undermine the purpose of that law. I encourage the legislature to send me a narrower bill that focuses on the manufacture of fentanyl."