Florida has filed to reclassify xylazine as a Schedule I controlled substance while allowing an exemption for veterinary use, according to a statement released Friday by the office of Attorney General James Uthmeier. The change is intended to curb abuse of the animal sedative while preserving access for veterinarians and the state’s agriculture industry. Under the proposed rule, only licensed veterinarians would be permitted to obtain and dispense xylazine, and farmers and ranchers could access it only through veterinary prescriptions for legitimate livestock care. Public possession or sale outside veterinary practice would remain illegal, and regulators would gain expanded authority to track the drug’s distribution. “Florida farmers and ranchers depend on veterinarians having the tools they need to safely treat livestock,” says Attorney General James Uthmeier in the statement.“By providing an exemption for xylazine for this limited purpose, we are protecting access for legitimate veterinary use while keeping this dangerous substance out of the hands of drug dealers and abusers.” Xylazine, approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for animal use, is widely used to sedate cattle, horses, and other large or wild animals. Veterinary officials note it is the safest and most effective sedative for cattle and can be reversed after use, allowing animals to safely recover and return to herds.
