Quick Facts
May 2026
Synthetic Drugs
Synthetic Drugs
Quick Facts
May 2026
May 2026
Amendment Cycle
Adopted Amendments
The Commission delivered to Congress amendments to the federal sentencing guidelines on April 30, 2026 (effective...
May 2026
An overview of the Commission's work on drug offenses during the 2025-2026 amendment year.
Comment from May 1, 2025
May 2025
Summary
The Commission received comment on Fentanyl, Fentanyl Analogues, and Other Opioids
September 2023
An overview of the Commission's work on Fake Pills during the 2022-2023 amendment year.
May 2023
Amendment Cycle
Adopted Amendments
January 2021
(January 2021) This report examines the relatively new and emerging problem of fentanyl and fentanyl analogue...
August 2018
Summary
The Commission received comment on proposed priorities for the 2018 - 2019 amendment year (ending May 1, 2019).
June 2018
The Commission has proposed priorities for the amendment cycle ending May 1, 2019 and has requested public comment...
May 2018
Amendment Cycle
Adopted Amendments
The Commission submitted to Congress amendments to the federal sentencing guidelines with an effective date of November...
Press Releases
U.S. Sentencing Commission adopts 2018 amendments; new classes of synthetic drugs and increases to fentanyl penalties...
Amendment Cycle
Amendment Cycle
Adopted Amendments
A public meeting of the Commission was held on Thursday, April 12, 2018 at 11:30 a.m. (ET) pursuant to Rule 3.2 of the...
April 2018
Amendment Cycle
Adopted Amendments
March 2018
Amendment Cycle
Proposed Amendments
Summary
The Commission received reply comment on proposed amendments related to synthetic drugs. (83 FR 3869)
March 2018
Amendment Cycle
Proposed Amendments
Summary
The Commission received comment on proposed amendments related to synthetic drugs. (83 FR 3869)
Amendment Cycle
Proposed Amendments
A public hearing was held on March 14, 2018 at 9:00 a.m. (ET) to receive testimony on proposed amendments related to...
Data Briefing
January 2018
This data briefing is intended to inform public comment on a proposed amendment. Deadline: March 6, 2018.
January 2018
Amendment Cycle
Proposed Amendments
The Commission has proposed amendments to the guidelines and has requested public comment. Public comment will be...
Press Releases
U.S. Sentencing Commission proposes package of synthetic drugs amendments; new classes of synthetic drugs and increases...
Amendment Cycle
Video
January 2018
On January 19, 2018, the Commission held a public meeting and voted to publish additional proposed amendments to the...
January 2018
Amendment Cycle
Proposed Amendments
Amendment Cycle
Final Priorities
A public hearing was held to receive testimony on fentanyl, fentanyl analogues, and synthetic cannabinoids.
November 2017
Amendment Cycle
Final Priorities
Summary
The Commission received comment on fentanyl and fentanyl analogues. (82 FR 47322)
October 2017
Amendment Cycle
Final Priorities
Summary
The Commission received comment on Synthetic Cathinones, Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), and Synthetic Cannabinoids. (82 FR...
October 2017
Amendment Cycle
Final Priorities
The Commission is seeking comment on a policy priority pertaining to fentanyl and fentanyl analogues. Public comment...
Amendment Cycle
Final Priorities
A public hearing was held to receive testimony on synthetic cathinones.
Video
October 2017
On October 4, 2017, the Commission received testimony from experts on synthetic cathinones, including their chemical...
August 2017
Amendment Cycle
Final Priorities
The Commission is seeking comment on a policy priority pertaining to synthetic cathinones, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)...
August 2017
Amendment Cycle
Final Priorities
The Commission has finalized policy priorities for the amendment cycle ending May 1, 2018. 82 FR 39949
Press Releases
U.S. Sentencing Commission announces its list of 2017-2018 policy priorities, proposes "holdover" amendments.
Amendment Cycle
August 2017
Amendment Cycle
Proposed Amendments
Video
August 2017
On August 17, 2017, the Commission held a public meeting to finalize priorities for the 2017-2018 amendment year. The...
June 2017
Amendment Cycle
Proposed Priorities
The Commission is requesting public comment on issues related to MDMA/Ecstasy and methylone. Public comment should be...
June 2017
Amendment Cycle
Proposed Priorities
The Commission has proposed priorities for the amendment cycle ending May 1, 2018 and has requested public comment...
Amendment Cycle
Proposed Amendments
A public hearing was held to receive testimony on synthetic drugs and alternatives to incarceration court programs.
Video
April 2017
On April 18, 2017, the Commission received testimony on alternatives to incarceration programs in the federal court...
December 2016
Amendment Cycle
Proposed Amendments
The Commission has proposed amendments to the federal sentencing guidelines and has requested public comment. Public...
December 2016
Amendment Cycle
Final Priorities
The Commission is seeking comment on a policy priority pertaining to MDMA/Ecstasy, synthetic cannabinoids, and synthetic...
Amendment Cycle
Proposed Amendments
Commissioners voted to publish proposed amendments to the federal sentencing guidelines.
Press Releases
U.S. Sentencing Commission holds last public meeting of the current commission, proposes 2017 amendments to the federal...
Amendment Cycle
December 2016
Amendment Cycle
Proposed Amendments
Press Releases
U.S. Sentencing Commission announces its list of 2016-2017 policy priorities.
Amendment Cycle
August 2016
Amendment Cycle
Final Priorities
After reviewing public comment, the Commission has identified its policy priorities for the upcoming amendment cycle...
June 2016
Amendment Cycle
Proposed Priorities
The Commission is seeking comment on possible priority policy issues for the amendment cycle ending May 1, 2017 (81 FR...
January 2015
Amendment Cycle
Proposed Amendments
May 2012
Amendment Cycle
Adopted Amendments
April 2012
Amendment Cycle
Adopted Amendments
Press Releases
- Commission promulgates amendments for the 2011-2012 amendment cycle.
Amendment Cycle
January 2012
Amendment Cycle
Proposed Amendments
January 2012
Amendment Cycle
Proposed Amendments
January 2011
Amendment Cycle
Proposed Priorities
May 2006
Amendment Cycle
Adopted Amendments
May 2006
Amendment Cycle
Adopted Amendments
March 2006
Amendment Cycle
Adopted Amendments
January 2006
Amendment Cycle
Proposed Amendments
Press Releases
- U.S. Sentencing Commission Seeks Comment on Sentencing Guidelines For Terrorism, Firearms, Steroids, and Immigration...
Amendment Cycle
January 2006
Amendment Cycle
Proposed Amendments
May 2004
Amendment Cycle
Adopted Amendments
December 2003
Amendment Cycle
Proposed Amendments
June 2001
Amendment Cycle
Adopted Amendments
BAC2210-40/2211-01 UNITED STATES SENTENCING COMMISSION Sentencing Guidelines for United States Courts AGENCY: United...
Press Releases
- Sentencing Commission Increases Penalties for High Dollar Fraud Offenders, Sexual Predators, and Ecstasy Traffickers...
Amendment Cycle
January 2001
Amendment Cycle
Adopted Amendments
January 2001
Amendment Cycle
Proposed Amendments
January 2001
Amendment Cycle
Proposed Amendments
Adopted Amendments
BAC2210-40/2211-01 UNITED STATES SENTENCING COMMISSION Sentencing Guidelines for United States Courts AGENCY: United...
Press Releases
- Flunitrazepam – “Date Rape” Drug.
Amendment Cycle