HB 1329: Controlled substances; Schedule I; provide certain provisions

Georgia law separately lists which chemicals count as Schedule I controlled substances and which medications count as 'dangerous drugs' that require a prescription. This bill updates both lists. It expands the chemical definition used to identify certain Schedule I synthetic cannabinoid-type substances by adding alkyl, halide, cyano, or acetyl groups to the list of substitutions that trigger control, alongside the existing nitro group language. The bill also adds roughly 50 newly named drugs, mostly recently approved prescription medications with generic names like aceclidine, brensocatib, and suzetrigine, to the dangerous drugs list in O.C.G.A. § 16-13-71. It removes outdated entries for specific brand formulations of an antihemophilic factor, a chikungunya vaccine, and a COVID-19 vaccine, and it expands an exception for epinephrine devices to cover pharmacist-distributed higher-dose epinephrine sprays used for severe allergic reactions. The law would take effect as soon as the Governor signs it.

• Broadens the chemical description used to classify certain Schedule I controlled substances by adding alkyl, halide, cyano, or acetyl substitution groups to the existing nitro-group definition.
• Adds about 50 newly named prescription drugs, identified by generic name, to Georgia's list of regulated dangerous drugs under O.C.G.A. § 16-13-71.
• Repeals outdated paragraph listings for a specific antihemophilic factor formulation, a live chikungunya vaccine, and an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine from the dangerous drugs list.
• Expands the epinephrine exemption so pharmacists can distribute higher-dose epinephrine sprays (up to 2 mg) for emergency allergic reaction treatment without the drug being treated as a controlled dangerous drug requiring separate handling.
• Sets the effective date as the day the Governor signs the bill or it otherwise becomes law.

Pharmacists, physicians, and pharmacies that dispense the newly listed medications; drug manufacturers whose products are added or removed from the dangerous drugs list; patients relying on epinephrine devices for allergic reactions; and law enforcement or prosecutors who apply Georgia's controlled substances definitions.

By updating which chemicals and medications count as regulated substances, the bill keeps Georgia's drug schedules current with newly approved treatments and vaccine formulations. Expanding the epinephrine exception could make it easier for pharmacists to distribute higher-dose emergency allergy treatments under existing rules.

• Section 1 revises O.C.G.A. § 16-13-25(16)(E) to add alkyl, halide, cyano, and acetyl substitution groups to the Schedule I chemical definition, alongside the existing nitro group and primary amine language.
• Section 2 adds roughly 50 new paragraphs to O.C.G.A. § 16-13-71(b) naming specific drugs, from aceclidine to zopapogene imadenovec-drba, as dangerous drugs.
• Section 3 repeals and reserves paragraph (324) and revises paragraphs (60.3), (160.5), and (217.2) to remove specific antihemophilic factor, chikungunya vaccine, and COVID-19 vaccine listings.
• Section 4 revises O.C.G.A. § 16-13-71(c)(9.33) to add a second epinephrine exemption for pharmacist-distributed sprays delivering up to 2 mg for emergency allergic reaction treatment.
• Section 5 makes the Act effective upon the Governor's approval or upon becoming law without approval.
• Section 6 repeals all conflicting laws.

1. 2026-05-05Effective Date 2026-05-05
2. 2026-05-05Act 390
3. 2026-05-05House Date Signed by Governor (Cámara de Representantes)
4. 2026-04-06House Sent to Governor (Cámara de Representantes)
5. 2026-03-20Senate Passed/Adopted (Senado)
6. 2026-03-20Senate Third Read (Senado)
7. 2026-03-19Senate Read Second Time (Senado)
8. 2026-03-18Senate Committee Favorably Reported (Senado)

• Ron Stephens (R, HD-164)Patrocinador principal
• Mark Newton (R, HD-127)
• Ben Watson (R, SD-001)

1. AprobadaVotación: Cámara de Representantes25 de febrero de 2026

   171 a favor, 0 en contra (1 sin votar, 5 ausentes)

   Passage: House Vote #561

2. AprobadaVotación: Senado20 de marzo de 2026

   41 a favor, 0 en contra (6 sin votar, 7 ausentes)

   Passage: Senate Vote #779

• controlled substances
• drug scheduling
• pharmacy regulation
• epinephrine access
• prescription drugs