In the past year, federal and state policymakers have taken a number of steps to combat synthetic drugs, also known as “novel psychoactive substances (NPS),” according to Jonathan Woodruff, Senior Legislative Attorney at the National Alliance for Model State Drug Laws (NAMSDL).
Legislators placed many substances into Schedule I of state and federal controlled substance lists, thereby making them illegal to manufacture, distribute or possess unless specifically authorized. They also created and/or enhanced criminal penalties for people or businesses found producing or selling the banned substances.
