AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT
S.B. 1066 seeks to add six substances used to make "bath salts" to Penalty Group 2 of the Texas Controlled Substances Act, resulting in felony convictions. Bath salts are a legal drug containing Mephedrone or MDPV, both of which are similar to an amphetamine (LSD or Ecstasy). These substances are derived from cathinones, which are Schedule I drugs, meaning that they have a high potential for abuse and are even illegal for prescriptions.
Schedule I drugs and those similar are illegal for human consumption under the Federal Analog Act. Bath salts are marketed as "not for human consumption" to avoid this act and can be purchased in smoke shops or online. They are ingested either by pill or snorting and give the user highs compared to LSD and cocaine. Deaths have been reported from bath salt use.
As proposed, S.B. 1066 amends current law relating to adding certain synthetic stimulants to Penalty Group 2 of the Texas Controlled Substances Act.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS
SECTION 1. Amends Section 481.103(a), Health and Safety Code, to provide that Penalty Group 2 consists of certain substances, including 3-Fluoromethcathinone; 4-Fluoromethcathinone; 4-methoxymethcathinone; 3, 4-Methyenedioxypyrovalerone (also known as MDPV); 3, 4-Methylenedioxymethcathinone (also known as Methylone); and 4-Methylmethcathinone (also known as Mephedrone).
SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 2011.