SB 1622 Arizona Senate · 57th Legislature - First Regular Session

narcotic drugs; definition

SB 1622 amends Arizona's drug definitions by adding specific chemical names and structural classes to the state's list of controlled substances. It directly affects law enforcement and courts by clarifying which synthetic drugs - such as certain hallucinogens (e.g., MDMA variants, "JWH-018" compounds) and cannabinoid mimetics - are classified as illegal under Arizona law. The bill defines substances through precise chemical descriptions (e.g., "2-(3-hydroxycyclohexyl)phenol" derivatives) to cover new synthetic drugs not previously named. This provides legal clarity for prosecuting drug offenses but does not change penalties or create new policies.

Issues: ✗ Criminal Justice

Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Feb 2025

Committee Review

Mar 2025

Senate Passage

Feb 2025

House Passage

May 2025

Signed into Law

May 2025

Introduced Feb 10, 2025 Signed May 12, 2025

Maddy AI version diff · 2 comparisons

What changed between versions

Senate Engrossed Version → Chaptered Version · 7 edits

MODERATE

This bill updates Arizona's drug offense definitions to include new synthetic substances and expanded categories of controlled drugs, particularly focusing on synthetic cannabinoids, cathinones, and fentanyl analogs. The changes modernize the state's drug laws to address emerging designer drugs that were not previously explicitly listed in the statutes.

Scope change

The bill expands the scope of controlled substances from a static list to include broader structural categories and specific new compounds, making it easier to prosecute possession or distribution of newly emerging designer drugs.

DEFINITION

Added new definitions for 'cannabimimetic substances' covering synthetic cannabinoids like JWH compounds, THJ compounds, and various indole-based substances with specific structural classes.

Added new definitions for 'cathinone mimetic substances' covering synthetic cathinones (bath salts) including alpha-PVP, alpha-PPP, and various 2C compounds.

Added new definitions for 'fentanyl mimetic substances' covering analogs and derivatives of fentanyl with substitutions in phenethyl, piperidine, and aniline groups.

Added new specific substances to the 'dangerous drug' list including xylazine, various JWH compounds, CP-47,497 compounds, and new isomers and analogs of existing controlled substances.

Modified the 'narcotic drugs' definition to include new fentanyl analogs and isomers, expanding from a fixed list to include broader categories of fentanyl-related compounds.

Added new substances to the 'opium' definition including various synthetic opioids and derivatives not previously covered.

TECHNICAL

Changed document formatting from Senate Engrossed version to Chaptered version with updated chapter number (163) and official approval dates.

Floor votes · Senate Feb 27, 2025 · House May 1, 2025

How they voted

27–2

Passed · 1 other

Total votes 30

Feb 27, 2025

D Democratic13

10 Yea 2 Nay 1

76% Yea

R Republican17

17 Yea

100% Yea

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

May 12, 2025

Signed into law

Signed by Governor

executive

May 1, 2025

Lower · Passed

PASSED

lower

Mar 26, 2025

Lower · Passed

lower

Feb 27, 2025

Upper · Passed

PASSED

upper

Feb 12, 2025

Upper · Passed

upper

1 primary · 4 co-sponsors