Synthetic Opioids Added to Narcotic Schedule

Summary#

The Regulations Amending the Narcotic Control Regulations (Synthetic Opioids): SOR/2024-99 add a group of synthetic opioid chemicals to the schedule of the Narcotic Control Regulations. The amendment came into force on publication in the Canada Gazette, Part II on June 5, 2024.

What it does#

• Adds a new schedule entry labelled 20AP-237 (1-(4-cinnamylpiperazin-1-yl)butan-1-one) to the Narcotic Control Regulations.
• Specifically lists these related substances (their salts, derivatives and analogues are also covered):
  • 2-methyl-AP-237 (1-(4-cinnamyl-2-methylpiperazin-1-yl)butan-1-one)
  • para-methyl-AP-237 ((E)-1-(4-(3-(p-tolyl)allyl)piperazin-1-yl)butan-1-one)
  • AP-238 (1-(4-cinnamyl-2,6-dimethylpiperazin-1-yl)propan-1-one)
• The regulations state they come into force on the day they were published in the Canada Gazette, Part II (see June 5, 2024).

Who's affected#

• People and businesses that make, import, sell, distribute or possess these specific chemicals.
• Laboratories and researchers who handle synthetic opioids may see new rules for obtaining, storing or reporting them.
• Law enforcement, public health and harm-reduction services, which monitor and respond to the supply of illegal synthetic opioids.
• People who use drugs and communities affected by synthetic-opioid availability and related harms.
  If it’s unclear how existing licences or research approvals are affected, affected parties should check the full regulation text or related guidance.

Why it matters#

• Adding these chemicals to the schedule means they are formally listed under the Narcotic Control Regulations, which brings them under regulatory control.
• That can limit their legal manufacture, sale and possession, and change how police and public-health authorities respond to them.
• The change aims to help address the public-health and safety risks from emerging synthetic opioids by controlling substances that are new to the illegal drug supply.
• A Regulatory Impact Analysis Statement linked to related orders is published nearby in the Canada Gazette for more detail.