Pentazocine

Pentazocine, including its salts and any material, compound, mixture, or preparation containing any quantity unless specifically excepted or listed in another schedule, is federally controlled in Schedule IV under 21 C.F.R. § 1308.14(g)(1), effective February 9, 1979. Federal law prohibits unauthorized possession, manufacture, distribution, dispensing, import, export, and possession with intent to manufacture, distribute, or dispense; possession is permitted when the substance is obtained directly or under a valid prescription or order from a practitioner acting in professional practice, or when otherwise authorized. Pentazocine-and-naloxone tablets are currently listed as a Schedule IV human prescription drug, while the FDA lists the branded TALWIN pentazocine-lactate injection as discontinued.

Pentazocine is expressly listed as a benzazocine in Schedule I, item 11(3), of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act, S.C. 1996, c. 19, and has been subject to that classification since the Act came into force on May 14, 1997. The Schedule I classification also applies in lawful medical and licensed channels; except as authorized under the regulations, possession, import, export, possession for export, and production are prohibited, and trafficking and possession for trafficking are likewise prohibited. Unauthorized possession is punishable by up to seven years' imprisonment on indictment, with summary-conviction limits of up to $1,000 and/or six months for a first offence and up to $2,000 and/or one year for a subsequent offence. Trafficking, possession for trafficking, unauthorized import or export, possession for export, and unauthorized production are indictable offences punishable by life imprisonment.