Fentanyl measure passes in 93-0 vote

The House voted Monday to add small quantities of fentanyl to the classification of drugs that include methamphetamine and cocaine, which are subject to the highest criminal penalties.

Rep. Jimmy Gazaway, R-Paragould, noted the potency of fentanyl and its ability to cause overdose deaths even in small quantities in calling for it to be included in the highest drug classification. His legislation, House Bill 1878, passed 93-0.

The bill would make the manufacturing or trafficking of more than a single gram of fentanyl a class Y felony, punishable by 10-40 years or life in prison.