Colorado exempts FDA-approved and DEA-rescheduled prescription products containing schedule I substances from schedule I controls

Original title: Use of Prescription Product with Controlled Substance

Last action · April 20, 2026: Governor SignedSponsors: William Lindstedt and 16 others

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What This Bill Does

Colorado law now exempts certain prescription drug products containing controlled substances from schedule I restrictions, provided they are approved by the FDA, rescheduled by the DEA, dispensed by authorized entities, and possessed by authorized individuals. The exemption takes effect immediately upon DEA designation or rescheduling, requiring the state to control these products in the same manner as federal law.

Why it matters

Changes how specific prescription medications containing controlled substances are regulated under state criminal statutes, aligning state drug schedules with federal approvals for patients and practitioners.

Who It Affects

Groups the bill's text affects, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.

Directly affected

Pharmacies and prescription drug outlets

Pharmacies and prescription drug outlets must dispense the qualifying prescription products according to the updated state and federal control standards.

Directly affected

Authorized practitioners

Authorized practitioners are permitted to administer the qualifying prescription drug products under the new exemption rules.

Directly affected

Persons authorized to possess a controlled substance

Individuals authorized to possess controlled substances may possess the exempted prescription products without schedule I restrictions.

Key Facts

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Frequently Asked Questions

Which prescription products are exempted from schedule I under this act?

Prescription drug products containing a controlled substance that are approved by the FDA, rescheduled by the DEA, dispensed by an authorized outlet or practitioner, and held by an authorized possessor.

Does this act affect marijuana or natural medicine regulations?

No, the act explicitly clarifies that its provisions do not apply to or affect the regulation of, or lawful actions concerning, natural medicine, natural medicine products, marijuana, or marijuana concentrate.

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Where This Stands

Current status: Signed into law.

Procedural history

16 actions

Apr 20, 2026Office of the GovernorEnrolled
Governor Signed
Apr 8, 2026Office of the GovernorEnrolled
Sent to the Governor
Apr 7, 2026SenateFloor
Signed by the President of the Senate
Apr 7, 2026HouseFloor
Signed by the Speaker of the House
Apr 6, 2026Senate
Senate Considered House Amendments - Result was to Concur - Repass
Apr 2, 2026HouseFloor
House Third Reading Passed - No Amendments

Show 10 earlier actions

Mar 31, 2026House
House Third Reading Laid Over Daily - No Amendments
Mar 30, 2026House
House Second Reading Special Order - Passed with Amendments - Committee
Mar 25, 2026HouseCommittee
House Committee on Health & Human Services Refer Amended to House Committee of the Whole
Feb 25, 2026HouseIntroduced
Introduced In House - Assigned to Health & Human Services
Feb 24, 2026SenateFloor
Senate Third Reading Passed - No Amendments
Feb 23, 2026SenateFloor
Senate Second Reading Passed with Amendments - Committee, Floor
Feb 18, 2026Senate
Senate Second Reading Laid Over to 02/23/2026 - No Amendments
Feb 12, 2026SenateCommittee
Senate Committee on Health & Human Services Refer Amended to Senate Committee of the Whole
Feb 4, 2026Senate
Senate Committee on Health & Human Services Witness Testimony and/or Committee Discussion Only
Jan 22, 2026SenateIntroduced
Introduced In Senate - Assigned to Health & Human Services

Version history

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