On July 1, 2025, SB 6 (Ashby) passed the Assembly Public Safety Committee. This bill will add xylazine to the California Controlled Substance List as a Schedule III controlled substance, but will keep xylazine solely in the hands of veterinarians for use in practice. A similar measure to SB 6 stalled in the Assembly Public Safety Committee in 2024 due to concerns brought forth by committee consultants. This year, due to compelling testimony by Senator Ashby as well as support witness testimony by CVMA Director of Regulatory Affairs Dr. Grant Miller, the bill passed the committee with a vote of 9 to 0. The bill now heads to the Assembly Appropriations Committee to assess the fiscal impact.

Xylazine, also known as “tranq” in the illicit drug trade, is commonly combined with fentanyl and taken by drug abusers. The physiologic ramifications of these drugs in humans can be lethal, and thus California is taking steps to limit the availability of xylazine to anyone other than a licensed veterinarian who is using it for legitimate veterinary medical practices. Xylazine is a commonly used sedative among livestock, equine, and wildlife veterinarians and is also utilized by animal control officers in the field who administer it under veterinarian direction.

Read the CVMA’s support letter for SB 6 here.