House approves permanent Schedule 1 classification of fentanyl

The House on Thursday approved legislation to permanent classify fentanyl as a Schedule 1 drug as the deadly narcotic remains a major component of transnational trafficking operations.

The legislation passed overwhelmingly through the lower chamber, with 289 favoring the bill and 133 voting against it.

The “Halt All Lethal Trafficking of Fentanyl Act” would amend the Controlled Substances Act to include fentanyl as a Schedule 1 drug, meaning it has no "accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse," according to the Drug Enforcement Administration.

Other Schedule 1 drugs include heroin, LSD, and marijuana.