Assigned to JUD                                                                                                                     FOR COMMITTEE

ARIZONA STATE SENATE

Fifty-Sixth Legislature, Second Regular Session

FACT SHEET FOR H.B. 2045

dangerous drugs; definition; xylazine

Purpose

Adds xylazine to the definition of dangerous drug. Exempts licensed veterinarians who lawfully acquire, use, prescribe, dispense or administer any dangerous drug while acting in the course of their profession from penalties associated with a violation of possession, use, administration, acquisition, sale, manufacture or transportation of dangerous drugs.

Background

Dangerous drug means any material, compound, mixture or preparation that contains any quantity of hallucinogenic, cannabimimetic, stimulant or depressive substances, as well as certain anabolic steroids (A.R.S. § 13-3401). A person may not knowingly: 1) possess or use a dangerous drug; 2) possess a dangerous drug for sale; 3) possess equipment or chemicals, or both, for the purpose of manufacturing a dangerous drug; 4) manufacture a dangerous drug; 5) administer a dangerous drug to another person; 6) obtain or procure the administration of a dangerous drug by fraud, deceit, misrepresentation or subterfuge; or 7) transport for sale, import into the State of Arizona or offer to transport for sale or import into the state, sell, transfer or offer to sell or transfer a dangerous drug (A.R.S. § 13-3407).

There is no anticipated fiscal impact to the state General Fund associated with this legislation. 

Provisions

1. Adds xylazine to the definition of dangerous drug.

2. Exempts, from penalties associated with a violation of possession, use, administration, acquisition, sale, manufacture or transportation of dangerous drugs, licensed veterinarians who lawfully acquire, use, prescribe, dispense or administer any dangerous drug while acting in the course of their professional practice, in good faith and in accordance with generally accepted medical standards. 

3. Makes technical changes.

4. Becomes effective on the general effective date. 

House Action

JUD                 2/7/24        DPA             6-3-0-0

3^rd Read          2/27/24                           40-18-1-0-1

Prepared by Senate Research

March 11, 2024

ZD/KK/cs