The Brief

ORLANDO, Fla. - Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier announced Wednesday that the state has moved to reclassify xylazine, an animal sedative, as a Schedule I controlled substance with an exemption for veterinary use.

What we know:

The change aims to block the drug’s illicit spread while ensuring farmers, ranchers and veterinarians can still access it to care for livestock and wildlife. Xylazine is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and is considered the safest sedative for cattle, horses, zoo animals and other large or wild animals.

"Florida farmers and ranchers depend on veterinarians having the tools they need to safely treat livestock," Uthmeier said in a statement. "By providing an exemption for xylazine for this limited purpose, we are protecting acce

See Full Page