Committee advances controlled‑substances bill adding a fentanyl derivative; members debate kratom implications

The committee considered House Bill 27‑65 to revise the Uniform Controlled Substances Act, add or remove substances from Schedules 1–4, and update the state’s definition of fentanyl‑related controlled substances to reflect recent federal action.

Carly (committee staff) and members walked through technical changes and how the bill would place some fentanyl derivatives on Schedule I while allowing medically used fentanyl on other schedules to remain exempt. Debate focused on whether to schedule certain kratom‑related derivatives — specifically references to ‘‘7‑hydroxymitragynine’’ and products referred to in testimony as ‘708’ — and whether the raw kratom leaf should be affected. Members raised differing technical views about the chemical‑relation and laboratory detection difficulties between natural kratom and synthetically derived products.

Representative Rees, citing veterans who use kratom products for pain management, said he could not support the bill without clearer federal direction, arguing the measure risked removing an option some veterans find helpful. Representative Rivas and others countered that the targeted derivative is a high‑concentration, synthetically produced product and that the FDA has focused enforcement on those concentrated derivatives rather than raw kratom leaf.

Law enforcement support was noted in the record and some members cited KBI testimony favoring the bill. After discussion and a technical readjustment to align with recent federal amendments and clarifications, the committee moved HB 2765 favorably out of committee by voice vote.

What’s next: The bill advances to the next stage; members requested clarity on which specific chemical derivatives are intended for Schedule I listing and noted that federal action could affect state implementation.