Fentanyl Designated as a Weapon of Mass Destruction by Executive Order
Impact Score: 3.8
Timeline: Immediate implementation required as of December 15, 2025
Summary: This executive order declares illicit fentanyl and its core precursor chemicals as Weapons of Mass Destruction due to their extreme lethality and threat to national security. It mandates federal agencies, including the Departments of Justice, State, Treasury, War, and Homeland Security, to initiate investigations, sanctions, and response measures targeting fentanyl trafficking networks linked to terrorism and violent conflict. The order impacts research protocols, regulatory compliance, and international collaborations, especially for institutions like Vanderbilt University.
Key Actions: Enhance research on fentanyl’s health impacts, expand policy and legal analysis on fentanyl-related issues, collaborate with government agencies on law enforcement strategy, and develop emergency preparedness programs addressing chemical threats.
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