(A177, R218, H4617)

AN ACT TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY AMENDING SECTION 44-53-230, RELATING TO SCHEDULE III CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES, SO AS TO ADD XYLAZINE AS A SCHEDULE III CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE; BY ADDING SECTION 44-53-372 SO AS TO PROHIBIT THE PRODUCTION, MANUFACTURE, DISTRIBUTION, OR POSSESSION OF XYLAZINE, WITH EXCEPTIONS, AND TO ESTABLISH ASSOCIATED CRIMINAL PENALTIES; AND BY ADDING SECTION 44-53-373 SO AS TO CREATE AN EXCEPTION FOR VETERINARY USE OF XYLAZINE.

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:

Schedule III controlled substances

SECTION 1.    Section 44-53-230(c) of the S.C. Code is amended by adding:

13. Xylazine.

Prohibited acts, xylazine

SECTION 2.    Article 3, Chapter 53, Title 44 of the S.C. Code is amended by adding:

Section 44-53-372.    (A)(1) It is unlawful for any person to knowingly or intentionally produce, manufacture, distribute, or possess with intent to produce, manufacture, or distribute xylazine for a use other than a nonhuman use.

(2) A person who violates the provisions of this subsection is guilty of a felony and, upon conviction, must be imprisoned not more than ten years or fined not more than fifteen thousand dollars, or both.

(B)(1) It is unlawful for any person to knowingly or intentionally possess xylazine.

(2) A person who violates the provisions of this subsection is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be imprisoned not more than one hundred eighty days or fined not more than five hundred dollars, or both.

(C) The provisions of this section do not apply to any of the following:

(1) the production, manufacturing, distribution, or possession of xylazine for use in legitimate veterinary practice;

(2) the production, manufacturing, distribution, or possession of a xylazine bulk chemical for pharmaceutical compounding by a licensed pharmacist or veterinarian for use in a nonhuman species;         (3) the possession of xylazine pursuant to a valid prescription from a licensed veterinarian for use in a nonhuman species; or

(4) the possession of xylazine in an injectable form for use in a nonhuman species.

(D) For purposes of this section, "xylazine" means xylazine and any salt, sulfate, isomer, homologue, analogue, or other preparation of xylazine, and any salt, isomer, compound, derivative, precursor, homologue, analogue, or other preparation thereof that is substantially chemically equivalent or identical to xylazine.

Xylazine, authorized uses

SECTION 3.    Chapter 53, Title 44 of the S.C. Code is amended by adding:

Section 44-53-373.    Nothing in this article applies to veterinarians in connection with the practice of their profession and the legitimate use of xylazine within the veterinary practice, including:

(A) the distribution or possession of xylazine by a licensed veterinarian for use in legitimate veterinary practice;

(B) the possession of xylazine pursuant to a valid prescription from a licensed veterinarian; or

(C) the possession of xylazine in an injectable form for use in nonhuman species.

Time effective

SECTION 4.    This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor.

Ratified the 15th day of May, 2024.

Approved the 20th day of May, 2024.

This web page was last updated on June 25, 2024 at 1:40 PM