Statement of Scope
CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES BOARD
Relating to: | Scheduling seven (7) synthetic benzimidazole-opioid substances |
1. Finding/nature of emergency:
N/A
2. Detailed description of the objective of the proposed rule:
The objective of the proposed rule is to schedule seven (7) synthetic benzimidazole-opioid substances as a schedule I controlled substance under s. 961.11 (4), Stats. 3. Description of the existing policies relevant to the rule, new policies proposed to be included in the rule, and an analysis of policy alternatives:
On April 12, 2022, the Department of Justice, Drug Enforcement Administration published its temporary scheduling order in the Federal Register placing the following seven (7) synthetic benzimidazole-opioid substances into schedule I of the federal Controlled Substances Act. The scheduling action was effective immediately.
2-(2-(4-butoxybenzyl)-5-nitro-1Hbenzimidazol-1-yl)-N,N-diethylethan-1- amine (butonitazene),
2-(2-(4-ethoxybenzyl)-1Hbenzimidazol-1-yl)-N,N-diethylethan-1- amine (etodesnitazene; etazene),
N,N-diethyl-2-(2-(4-fluorobenzyl)-5- nitro-1H-benzimidazol-1-yl)ethan-1- amine (flunitazene),
N,N-diethyl-2-(2-(4- methoxybenzyl)-1H-benzimidazol-1- yl)ethan-1-amine (metodesnitazene),
N,N-diethyl-2-(2-(4- methoxybenzyl)-5-nitro-1Hbenzimidazol-1-yl)ethan-1-amine (metonitazene),
2-(4-ethoxybenzyl)-5-nitro-1-(2- (pyrrolidin-1-yl)ethyl)-1Hbenzimidazole (N-pyrrolidino etonitazene; etonitazepyne), and
N,N-diethyl-2-(5-nitro-2-(4- propoxybenzyl)-1H-benzimidazol-1- yl)ethan-1-amine (protonitazene).
The Controlled Substances Board did not receive an objection to similarly treating the seven (7) synthetic benzimidazole-opioid substances listed above in schedule I under ch. 961, Stats. within 30 days of the date of publication in the federal register of the final order designating these seven (7) synthetic benzimidazole-opioid substances as controlled substances. Pursuant to s. 961.11(4), Stats., the Controlled Substances Board by affirmative action similarly treats the seven (7) synthetic benzimidazole-opioid substances listed above under chapter 961, Stats. by creating the following: CSB 2.94 Addition of seven (7) synthetic benzimidazole-opioid substances to schedule I.
(1) Section 961.14 (2) (mm) and (pe), stats. are renumbered to 961.14 (2) (xm) 3. and 5. And amended to read:
961.14 (2) (xm) 3. Etonitazene (2-(2-(4-ethoxybenzyl)-5-nitro-1H-benzimidazol-1-yl)-N,N-diethylethan-1- amine).
961.14 (2) (xm) 5. Isotonitazene (N,N -diethyl-2-(2-(4-isopropoxybenzyl)-5-nitro-1H-benizimidazol-1-yl)ethan-1-amine).
961.14 (2) (xm) Synthetic Benzimidazole-opioid Substances, specifically including all of the following:
1. Butonitazene (2-(2-(4-butoxybenzyl)-5-nitro-1H-benzimidazol-1-yl)-N,N-diethylethan-1- amine).
2. Etodesnitazene also known as Etazene (2-(2-(4-ethoxybenzyl)-1H-benzimidazol-1-yl)-N,N-diethylethan-1- amine).
4. Flunitazene (N,N-diethyl-2-(2-(4-fluorobenzyl)-5- nitro-1H-benzimidazol-1-yl)ethan-1- amine).
6. Metodesnitazene (N,N-diethyl-2-(2-(4- methoxybenzyl)-1H-benzimidazol-1- yl)ethan-1-amine).
7. Metonitazene (N,N-diethyl-2-(2-(4- methoxybenzyl)-5-nitro-1H-benzimidazol-1-yl)ethan-1-amine).
8. N-pyrrolidino etonitazene also known as etonitazepyne (2-(4-ethoxybenzyl)-5-nitro-1-(2- (pyrrolidin-1-yl)ethyl)-1H-benzimidazole).
9. Protonitazene (N,N-diethyl-2-(5-nitro-2-(4- propoxybenzyl)-1H-benzimidazol-1- yl)ethan-1-amine).
The Affirmative Action order, dated August 3, 2022, took effect on August 15, 2022, upon publication in the Administrative Register and expires upon promulgation of a final rule.
4. Detailed explanation of statutory authority for the rule:
Section 961.11 (1), Stats. provides that “[t]he controlled substances board shall administer this subchapter and may add substances to or delete or reschedule all substances listed in the schedules in ss. 961.14, 961.16, 961.18, 961.20 and 961.22 pursuant to the rule-making procedures of ch. 227.”
