Exemption for FDA-Approved Prescription Drugs Containing Schedule I Controlled Substances
Summary
Colorado Senate Bill SB26-031 proposes to exempt FDA-approved prescription drug products containing Schedule I controlled substances from state Schedule I classification. The exemption applies when the product is designated or rescheduled by the DEA and dispensed by licensed pharmacies or administered by physicians to authorized individuals.
What changed
Colorado SB26-031 would create a new exemption from Schedule I classification for prescription drug products containing Schedule I controlled substances, provided the product is FDA-approved for prescription use and designated or rescheduled by the DEA. The product must be dispensed by a pharmacy or prescribed drug outlet, or administered by a physician, and possessed by a person authorized to possess controlled substances. The bill requires Colorado to control the product in the same manner as the DEA. Critically, the bill explicitly excludes natural medicine and natural medicine products from its provisions.
Healthcare providers and pharmacies should monitor the bill's progress through the Senate and House Health & Human Services committees. If enacted, the exemption would take effect upon the DEA's designation or rescheduling action, meaning affected parties should track federal DEA scheduling decisions. Pharmaceutical manufacturers seeking to market Schedule I-based prescription products in Colorado would benefit from understanding these new pathways.
What to do next
- Monitor SB26-031 progress through Colorado legislative process
- Track DEA scheduling designations for FDA-approved prescription products containing Schedule I substances
- Review dispensing and administration protocols if bill is enacted
Archived snapshot
Apr 3, 2026GovPing captured this document from the original source. If the source has since changed or been removed, this is the text as it existed at that time.
SB26-031
Use of Prescription Product with Controlled Substance
| Type | Bill |
|---|---|
| Session | 2026 Regular Session |
| Subjects | Crimes, Corrections, & Enforcement |
Concerning the lawful use of a prescription drug product containing a schedule I controlled substance.
Recent Bill (PDF) Recent Fiscal Note (PDF) Bill Summary:
The bill exempts from schedule I a prescription drug product containing the schedule I controlled substance (product) if the product is:
- Approved for prescription use by the United States food and drug administration; ~~and~~
- Designated or rescheduled by the United States drug enforcement agency (DEA);
- Dispensed by a pharmacy or prescription drug outlet, or administered by a physician; and
- Possessed by a person who is authorized to possess a controlled substance. The exemption applies upon the DEA's designation or rescheduling.
The bill requires that the product be controlled in Colorado in the same manner as the product is controlled by the DEA and state law.
The bill clarifies that its provisions do not apply to or affect the regulation of or lawful actions or conduct concerning natural medicine or natural medicine product.
(Note: Italicized words indicate new material added to the original summary; dashes through words indicate deletions from the original summary.)
(Note: This summary applies to the reengrossed version of this bill as introduced in the second house.)
Prime Sponsors
William Lindstedt
Senator
Janice Rich
Representative
Sean Camacho
Representative
Matt Soper
Committees
Senate
House
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Status
Under Consideration
Introduced
Under Consideration
Upcoming Schedule
1 meeting
Apr 6
Senate Consideration of House Amendments to Senate Bills
10:00 AM Senate Chamber
Related Documents & Information
| Date | Version | Documents |
|---|---|---|
| 04/02/2026 | Rerevised | |
| 03/30/2026 | Revised | |
| 02/24/2026 | Reengrossed | |
| 02/23/2026 | Engrossed | |
| 01/22/2026 | Introduced |
| Date | Version | Documents |
|---|---|---|
| 03/26/2026 | PA2 | |
| 02/13/2026 | PA1 |
| Date | Version | Documents |
|---|---|---|
| 03/18/2026 | First Revised Fiscal Note | |
| 02/02/2026 | Initial Fiscal Note |
| Activity | Vote | Documents |
|---|---|---|
| Adopt amendment L.003 (Attachment C). | The motion passed without objection. | Vote summary |
| Adopt amendment L.004 (Attachment D). | The motion passed without objection. | Vote summary |
| Refer Senate Bill 26-031, as amended, to the Committee of the Whole. | The motion passed on a vote of 13-0. | Vote summary |
| Hearing Summary | Committee Report: PDF | |
| Activity | Vote | Documents |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Adopt amendment L.001 (Attachment A). | The motion passed without objection. | Vote summary |
| Refer Senate Bill 26-031, as amended, to the Committee of the Whole. | The motion passed on a vote of 7-1. | Vote summary |
| Hearing Summary | Committee Report: PDF | |
| Activity | Vote | Documents |
| --- | --- | --- |
Hearing Summary
| Date | Calendar | Motion | Vote | Vote Document |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 04/02/2026 | Third Reading | BILL | 62 AYE 1 NO 2 OTHER | Vote record |
| Date | Calendar | Motion | Vote | Vote Document |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 02/24/2026 | Third Reading | BILL | 29 AYE 2 NO 3 OTHER | Vote record |
| Date | Amendment Number | Committee/ Floor Hearing | Status | Documents |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 03/25/2026 | L.004 | HOU Health & Human Services | Passed [*] | |
| 03/25/2026 | L.003 | HOU Health & Human Services | Passed [*] | |
| 02/23/2026 | L.002 | Second Reading | Passed [**] | |
| 02/12/2026 | L.001 | SEN Health & Human Services | Passed [*] |
- Amendments passed in committee are not incorporated into the measure unless adopted by the full House or Senate.
** The status of Second Reading amendments may be subsequently affected by the adoption of an amendment to the Committee of the Whole Report. Refer to the House or Senate Journal for additional information.
| Date | Location | Action |
|---|---|---|
| 04/02/2026 | House | House Third Reading Passed - No Amendments |
| 03/31/2026 | House | House Third Reading Laid Over Daily - No Amendments |
| 03/30/2026 | House | House Second Reading Special Order - Passed with Amendments - Committee |
| 03/25/2026 | House | House Committee on Health & Human Services Refer Amended to House Committee of the Whole |
| 02/25/2026 | House | Introduced In House - Assigned to Health & Human Services |
| 02/24/2026 | Senate | Senate Third Reading Passed - No Amendments |
| 02/23/2026 | Senate | Senate Second Reading Passed with Amendments - Committee, Floor |
| 02/18/2026 | Senate | Senate Second Reading Laid Over to 02/23/2026 - No Amendments |
| 02/12/2026 | Senate | Senate Committee on Health & Human Services Refer Amended to Senate Committee of the Whole |
| 02/04/2026 | Senate | Senate Committee on Health & Human Services Witness Testimony and/or Committee Discussion Only |
| 01/22/2026 | Senate | Introduced In Senate - Assigned to Health & Human Services |
Prime Sponsor
Sen. W. Lindstedt | Sen. J. Rich
Rep. S. Camacho | Rep. M. Soper
Sponsor
(None) Co-Sponsor
Sen. J. Bridges | Sen. J. Coleman | Sen. N. Hinrichsen
Rep. J. Bacon | Rep. A. Boesenecker | Rep. B. Bradley | Rep. K. Brown | Rep. M. Duran | Rep. S. Lieder | Rep. K. Nguyen | Rep. M. Rutinel | Rep. G. Rydin | Rep. R. Stewart
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