A new bill filed by State Sen. McInnis seeks to update the Controlled Substances Act by adding emerging synthetic drugs to improve regulatory control and address abuse potential, according to the North Carolina State Senate.
The bill, filed as SB 450 on March 24 during the 2025 regular session, was formally listed with the short title: ‘Novel Opioid Control Act of 2025.’
The following is our breakdown, based on the actual bill text, and may include interpretation to clarify its provisions.
In essence, the bill updates the Controlled Substances Act by adding new synthetic opioids, fentanyl derivatives, nitazene derivatives, and synthetic cannabinoids to the list of controlled substances. It specifies various chemical structures that qualify these substances for regulation under the act, focusing on their potential for abuse and misuse. Additionally, the bill amends specific sections to redefine certain drugs and chemicals, including fentanyl precursors, to align with current scientific understanding and ensure comprehensive control. This act is set to take effect on Aug. 1, 2025, impacting offenses committed on or after this date.
Of the three sponsors of this bill, Michael A. Lazzara proposed the most bills (26) during the 2025 regular session.
Bills in North Carolina follow a multi-step process before becoming law. A lawmaker starts by filing a bill, which is assigned to a committee for review. The bill must be read three times in each chamber. If one chamber changes the bill after the other passes it, both must agree on the final version. Once both chambers approve the same bill, it goes to the governor, who has 10 days (or 30 if the legislature is not in session) to sign, veto, or let it become law without a signature.
You can read more about the bills and other measures here.
Mclnnis, a Republican, was elected to the North Carolina State Senate in 2023 to represent the state’s 21st Senate district, replacing previous state senator Ben Clark.
| Authors | Bill Number | Date Filed | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tom McInnis, Michael A. Lazzara, and Vickie Sawyer | SB 450 | 03/24/2025 | Novel Opioid Control Act of 2025. |
| Tom McInnis, Steve Jarvis, and Timothy D. Moffitt | SB 387 | 03/24/2025 | Brownfields Property Reuse Act Revisions. |
| Tom McInnis, Steve Jarvis, and Timothy D. Moffitt | SB 388 | 03/24/2025 | DOT Permit Review Time Periods. |
| Tom McInnis, Steve Jarvis, and Timothy D. Moffitt | SB 451 | 03/24/2025 | Occupational/Professional Licensing Relief. |
| Tom McInnis and Timothy D. Moffitt | SB 470 | 03/24/2025 | End Block Scheduling. |
| Tom McInnis, Bobby Hanig, and Timothy D. Moffitt | SB 471 | 03/24/2025 | Horse Race Wagering Modifications. |
| Tom McInnis, Steve Jarvis, and Timothy D. Moffitt | SB 472 | 03/24/2025 | Amend 401 Certification Process. |
| Tom McInnis, Bobby Hanig, and Timothy D. Moffitt | SB 291 | 03/13/2025 | Regulation of Short-Term Rentals. |
| Tom McInnis, Eddie D. Settle, and Vickie Sawyer | SB 231 | 03/05/2025 | State Surplus Property/Third-Party Auctions. |
| Tom McInnis, Michael V. Lee, and Timothy D. Moffitt | SB 223 | 03/03/2025 | Expand Academic Trans. Pathways/Sophomore HS. |
| Tom McInnis, Timothy D. Moffitt, and Todd Johnson | SB 204 | 02/27/2025 | Remove Testing Requirement for Teacher Lisc. |
| Tom McInnis, Steve Jarvis, and Warren Daniel | SB 207 | 02/27/2025 | Litter Law/Rebuttable Presumption. |
| Tom McInnis, Bill Rabon, and Danny Earl Britt, Jr. | SB 220 | 02/27/2025 | Protect Private Property Rights.-AB |
| Tom McInnis and Jim Burgin | SB 126 | 02/21/2025 | Zero-Based Budgeting. |
| Tom McInnis | SB 100 | 02/13/2025 | SchCalFlex/Moore/CC. |
| Tom McInnis | SB 66 | 02/10/2025 | SchCalFlex/Cumberland/CC. |
| Tom McInnis | SB 42 | 02/03/2025 | 21st Senatorial District Local Act-1. |
