Committee narrows controlled-substance bill, adds nitrous-oxide retail restrictions and schedules xylazine as Schedule I

The committee adopted a 'delete all' substitute for SB432 that retains an underlying bill to classify xylazine as a Schedule I controlled substance and adds provisions targeting recreational misuse of nitrous oxide.

Senator Yarbrough said xylazine is not approved for human use and is more commonly used in veterinary contexts; the substitute maintains the public-safety focus and adds a provision, suggested by a colleague, to address growing misuse of nitrous oxide. Under the amendment, retailers holding a DBPR tobacco permit would not be allowed to sell nitrous-oxide products in consumer canisters and DBPR would receive rulemaking authority to regulate retail practices while preserving legitimate culinary and medical uses.

Supporters included law-enforcement representatives (an appearance form from the Seminole County Sheriff’s Office waived in support) and Senator Trudeau voiced approval in debate. The committee adopted the substitute by voice vote and reported the committee substitute favorably.