Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) and Senator Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.) have reintroduced the Stop Importation and Manufacturing of Synthetic Analogues (SIMSA) Act. The bipartisan legislation aims to address the issue of synthetic drugs that are chemically similar to controlled substances but are designed to evade current U.S. drug laws.
Grassley stated, “America’s scheduling system is inefficient and outdated, and our law enforcement officers are struggling to keep pace with emerging drug threats. The SIMSA Act would provide much-needed adaptability to get ahead of bad actors and their deadly knockoffs.”
Hassan highlighted the impact of these drugs in her state, saying, “Communities across New Hampshire have been devastated by fentanyl and other deadly drugs. Fentanyl analogues pose just as severe a threat as fentanyl itself, and criminals have deliberately engineered these drugs to circumvent our laws and evade bans. Our bipartisan legislation will provide law enforcement with the necessary tools to crack down on the criminals flooding our streets with these drug analogues. I urge my colleagues to support this effort to protect our communities and save lives, and I will keep working to combat the fentanyl crisis.”
The SIMSA Act proposes creating a new classification called Schedule A for substances whose chemical structure is substantially similar to a controlled substance and that are expected to have equal or greater effects on the human body. Individuals involved in manufacturing, exporting, or importing these synthetic analogues would face criminal penalties under this bill. Provisions are included in the legislation to ensure legitimate research is not hindered.
Current U.S. law outlaws certain controlled substances but does not automatically cover new variants created by altering their chemical structure. This allows illicit manufacturers to produce new versions that remain legal until they undergo lengthy analysis before being scheduled by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).
