Frankfort, Kentucky — In a recent announcement, Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear stated that Bromazolam, commonly referred to as “Designer Xanax,” will now be classified as a Schedule I controlled substance due to what the state has described as an emergency situation.
This classification makes Bromazolam illegal to sell or possess in Kentucky, allowing law enforcement to take action against those involved in its distribution.
A statement from the governor’s office highlighted a worrying trend: there have been 48 overdose deaths associated with Bromazolam in Kentucky during 2024. Beshear emphasized the importance of this new measure, saying, “Team Kentucky has made significant progress in combating addiction, marking the third consecutive year in which overdose deaths have been addressed. We are committed to our efforts, as this dangerous drug has no place in our community. Now we have the tools we need to take it off the streets.”
Bromazolam, which is chemically similar to Xanax, was created in the 1970s but has never been approved for use in the United States. The substance has been appearing on the illegal drug scene here since 2019.
This drug is commonly available in both tablet and pill forms and is often marketed under the name “XLI-268.”
The emergency designation took effect immediately and was made in response to a request from Attorney General Russell Coleman. Coleman expressed confidence in this new measure, stating, “We’ve provided Kentucky law enforcement with another tool to keep this dangerous substance off the streets. I’m proud of my collaboration with the drug task force in northern Kentucky to save lives. We must protect our community from the harm caused by such drugs.”
Other states have also classified Bromazolam as a Schedule I controlled substance, including Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Virginia, and West Virginia. However, it remains unregulated at the federal level by the Drug Enforcement Administration.
In contrast, Xanax is designated as a Schedule IV drug according to federal standards, which indicates a lower risk of abuse and addiction compared to Schedule I substances. Other drugs in this category include medications such as Ativan and Ambien.
