Crimes for Xylazine in Florida
Effective July 1, 2026, the Florida legislature passed CS/SB 432, which regulates xylazine as an intoxicating substances.
The bill makes it a first degree felony, with a 3 year mandatory minimum prison term, to sell, manufacture, deliver, or possess with the intent to sell, manufacture, or deliver certain forms of xylazine.
The bill also creates a first degree felony for “trafficking in xylazine.” Under this new provision, a person may not knowingly sell, purchase, manufacture, deliver, or bring into this state, or knowingly be in actual or constructive possession of twenty-eight (28) grams or more of xylazine or any salt thereof, or twenty-eight (28) grams or more of any mixture containing any such substance.
An offender convicted of such an offense must be sentenced to a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment and fine, the length and amount of which varies depending upon the amount of xylazine involved in the offense including:
- If the quantity involved is twenty-eight (28) grams or more, but less than one-hundred (100) grams, such person must be sentenced to a 3 year mandatory minimum term of imprisonment and ordered to pay a fine of $100,000.
- If the quantity involved is one-hundred (100) grams or more, but less than two-hundred (200) grams, such person must be sentenced to a 7 year mandatory minimum term of imprisonment and ordered to pay a fine of $100,000.
- If the quantity involved is two-hundred (200) grams or more, such person must be sentenced to a 25 year mandatory minimum term of imprisonment and ordered to pay a fine of $500,000.
The new law regarding the regulation of xylanzine prohibits licensed retail nicotine products dealers and their employees from possessing, selling, possessing with intent to sell, delivering, or giving, directly or indirectly, nitrous oxide on or from their licensed premises. A violation is a third degree felony.
Attorney for Xylazine Crimes in Florida
The attorneys at Sammis Law Firm represent clients accused of the use, possession, sell, distribution, or trafficking in xylazine. We are familiar with this new drug offense and exceptions that might apply.
We have offices in Tampa in Hillsborough County, Clearwater in Pinellas County, and New Port Richey in Pasco County.
Contact us for a free and confidential consultation to discuss the charges pending against you and the best way to fight for an outright dismissal.
Call 813-250-0500.
Exception for the Use of Xylazine
In a report prepared by the Criminal Justice Committee (CJ), it explains why the bill exempts xylazine animal drug products approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration for veterinary purpose from the list of Schedule I controlled substances.
The term “xylazine” means the nonopioid tranquilizer methyl benzene compound frequently used in veterinary medicine as an emetic and sedative with analgesic and muscle relaxant properties.
The manufacture, importation, distribution, prescribing, or sale of xylazine for human use is not subject to this exception.
The statute also creates additional exemptions for possession of xylazine by grocery stores and supermarkets and their employees, although such exceptions do not apply to gas stations and convenience stores.
Finished food products using nitrous oxide solely as a propellant are not prohibited. The Department of Business and Professional Regulation is directed to adopt rules to prevent nitrous oxide misuse for intoxication.
Effective July 1, 2026, CS/HB 477 amends the definition of “drug paraphernalia,” to exclude narcotic drug testing products that are used to determine whether a controlled substance contains dangerous fentanyl or fentanyl analogues, or xylazine.
This article was last updated on Friday, May 22, 2026.
