Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that amends the Controlled Substances Act to grant the Department of Justice new authority to ban synthetic drugs.

Highlights:

• Defines the “SITSA Act” as the “Stop the Importation and Trafficking of Synthetic Analogues Act” of 2017 (Sec. 1).

• Authorizes the Attorney General to issue a temporary order that adds a drug or substance to the list of controlled substances if found that the substance meets the criteria of a controlled substance and is determined that said classification will result in the prevention of abuse or misuse of drugs or other substances (Sec. 3).

• Specifies that such temporary order will not take effect until 30 days after the publication date of a controlled substance by the Attorney General and shall expire not later than 5 years after the enactment date of this act (Sec. 3).

• Specifies that such temporary order issued by the Attorney General shall not be subject to judicial review (Sec. 3).

• Authorizes the Attorney General to simultaneously issue a permanent order that ads a drug or substance to the list of schedule A controlled substances when issuing a temporary order (Sec. 3).

• Authorizes the following fines and penalties for individuals found guilty of selling a controlled drug or substance, including, but not limited to (Sec. 4):

• A prison term not to exceed 10 years upon first offence or 15 years if drug sale resulted in serious injury or death;

• A prison term not to exceed 30 years if guilty of prior felony drug conviction or a life sentence if the drug sale resulted in serious bodily injury or death; or

• A fine not to exceed $2 million if the defendant is an individual or $10 million if the defendant is believed to be part of a larger operation.

• Specifies that an individual sentenced to a prison term for their first felony drug offense shall have a supervised release of 3 years following their sentence, and individuals found guilty of prior convictions shall have a supervised release of 6 years (Sec. 4).

• Prohibits the importation, exportation, distribution, or manufacturing of a schedule A substance or product listed under the Controlled Substance Act unless the substance or product is clearly labeled a schedule A controlled substance and meets the requirements under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (Sec. 5).

Full Bill Text

Full Bill Text