By Abraham Kenmore
SCDailyGazette.com
COLUMBIA — A bill making the non-veterinary use of an animal tranquilizer illegal advanced Tuesday, March 26, to the Senate floor.
The Senate Judiciary Committee voted unanimously to criminalize the off-label use of xylazine, often known as “tranq,” that can cause blackouts and lesions, potentially even death. It is not responsive to naloxone, the opioid overdose reversal treatment.
“Xylazine is not a musical instrument. It’s a tranquilizer for big animals. Veterinarians use it,” Senate Minority Leader Brad Hutto, D-Orangeburg, told the committee. “It’s very cheap. People are using it to cut other drugs, to make fentanyl and heroin and cocaine go further, so this will criminalize the use of xylazine as a drug.”
Hutto said that veterinarians in South Carolina who use the drug in their practice support the bill. A similar version passed the House unanimously in January.
The legislation would make unauthorized manufacturing or sale of xylazine a felony punishable by up to 10 years in prison, a fine of up to $15,000, or both. Possessing the drug without authorization would be a misdemeanor with a maximum sentence of 180 days, a fine of up $500, or both.
Sen. Gerald Malloy, D-Hartsville, said the penalties seemed harsh. They’re inconsistent with other drugs in its category, and the bill sets no mandatory minimums, he said. But he didn’t oppose the bill. Instead, he said he’d propose amendments during the floor debate to address his concerns.
South Carolina could join Florida, Ohio, Pennsylvania and West Virginia in adding xylazine to its list of controlled substances.
In interviews with Stateline, public health experts and those working to reduce the harm of drugs on those who use them said that criminalizing xylazine would make it more difficult for drug users to seek treatment.
Abraham Kenmore is a reporter covering elections, health care and more. He joins the S.C. Daily Gazette from The Augusta Chronicle, where he reported on Georgia legislators, military and housing issues.
S.C. Daily Gazette is part of States Newsroom, the nation’s largest state-focused nonprofit news organization.
