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New DEA plan for illicit fentanyl aims to make prosecution easier

(CNN, November 9) The Department of Justice plans to classify illicit versions of fentanyl as Class 1 drugs in an emergency effort to stop the creation of new synthetic opioids and make prosecution easier.

DOJ and Drug Enforcement Administration officials announced Thursday that they intend to classify substances structurally related to fentanyl in "schedule 1," the highest drug bracket, which is meant for drugs with no medical benefit and a high likelihood of abuse. Heroin and marijuana are also in that category. Read more.