NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — A bill filed in the Tennessee General Assembly would classify fentanyl and its derivatives as chemical warfare agents like tear gas, nerve agents and blister agents.
Tullahoma Republican Sen. Janice Bowling filed SB 1115 this legislative session.
Under present law, it is a Class B felony for anyone to possess, develop, manufacture, produce, transfer, acquire, weaponize or retain a chemical warfare agent. The term “chemical warfare agent” is defined in Tennessee Code to include nerve agents, blood agents, blister agents, choking agents, pesticides, dioxins, polychlorinated biphernyls (PCBs), flammable industrial gases and liquids, and tear gases and other disabling chemicals. This list was initially crafted under the Terrorism Prevention and Response Act of 2002.