DIGEST The digest printed below was prepared by House Legislative Services. It constitutes no part of the legislative instrument. The keyword, one-liner, abstract, and digest do not constitute part of the law or proof or indicia of legislative intent. [R.S. 1:13(B) and 24:177(E)] HB 645 Engrossed 2023 Regular Session Dustin Miller Abstract: Creates the crime of unlawful production, manufacturing, distribution, or possession of Xylazine. Proposed law provides that it is unlawful for any person to knowingly or intentionally produce, manufacture, distribute, or possess with intent to produce, manufacture, or distribute Xylazine. Proposed law provides that whoever violates proposed law shall be imprisoned, with or without hard labor, for not less than one year nor more than 10 years and, in addition, may be required to pay a fine of not more than $15,000. Proposed law provides that it is unlawful for any person to knowingly or intentionally possess Xylazine. Proposed law provides that whoever violates proposed law shall be imprisoned for not more than six months and, in addition, may be required to pay a fine of not more than $500. Provides that the proposed law crime of unlawful production, manufacturing, distribution, or possession of Xylazine shall not apply to the following: (1)The production, manufacturing, distribution, or possession of Xylazine in the course of a legitimate veterinary practice. (2)The possession of Xylazine pursuant to a valid prescription from a licensed veterinarian. Proposed law defines "Xylazine" as Xylazine and any salt, sulfate, isomer, homologue, analogue, or other preparation of Xylazine, and any salt, isomer, compound, derivative, precursor, homologue, analogue, or other preparation thereof that is substantially chemically equivalent or identical to Xylazine. (Adds R.S. 40:989.4)