Bill Overview
Title: Stop Illegal Online Sales of Controlled Substances Act
Description: This bill requires registry operators or registrars of internet domain names to suspend domain names that are used for the illegal sale of controlled substances, upon notification from specified federal or state regulatory agencies.
Sponsors: Sen. Klobuchar, Amy [D-MN]
Target Audience
Population: People involved in the illegal sale or purchase of controlled substances online
Estimated Size: 300000
- The bill will directly impact those operating illegal online pharmacies selling controlled substances, as their websites may be suspended.
- Consumers purchasing controlled substances illegally online will be affected, as their source of procurement will be interrupted.
- Law enforcement agencies and regulatory bodies will be impacted as they will have additional tools to combat illegal online drug sales.
Reasoning
- The policy targets a specific and relatively small segment of the population directly involved in the illegal sale or purchase of controlled substances online, estimated at 300,000 Americans.
- Projected budgets indicate a gradual increase over ten years, suggesting that implementation will be phased, possibly starting with more immediate impacts on those directly involved rather than auxiliary markets or major downstream effects.
- Wellbeing scores are qualitative and subjective; thus, shifts due to regulatory changes may initially reflect disruption, followed by potential stabilization or improvement of societal wellbeing due to reduced illegal drug availability.
Simulated Interviews
Healthcare Professional (New York, NY)
Age: 55 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The policy is a step in the right direction. Reducing the availability of illegal drugs online will help safeguard public health.
- I believe this will improve outcomes for patients vulnerable to opioid misuse.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
Web Developer (San Francisco, CA)
Age: 42 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy won't affect my work with legal domain names.
- It's good that illegal activities are being checked online.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 8 |
Freelance Writer (Miami, FL)
Age: 30 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I worry about getting the medications I need legally when online options are limited.
- But I support the effort to shut down illegal sellers.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
IT Support Technician (Austin, TX)
Age: 25 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 15/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I wonder if this policy will lead to overreach in monitoring by the government.
- As long as it targets illegal sales specifically, I'm for it.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 6 |
Drug Rehabilitation Counselor (Denver, CO)
Age: 38 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- It's crucial to cut down illegal online pharmacies; they're a major source of trouble for my clients.
- This policy could make a real difference if implemented correctly.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 3 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 3 |
Retired (Columbus, OH)
Age: 62 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm worried about access to affordable medication without resorting to uncomfortable online means.
- Hopefully, this limits only illegal options without affecting legitimate ones.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 4 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 4 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 4 |
Law Enforcement Officer (Boston, MA)
Age: 45 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This will aid our efforts in nipping illegal operations in the bud.
- Enforcement just got potentially better, easier.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 5 |
College Student (Los Angeles, CA)
Age: 19 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 18/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I don't see the impact on my life directly, but it's probably good overall.
- I hope it doesn't lead to unnecessary internet censorship.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 5 |
Small Business Owner (Seattle, WA)
Age: 50 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 2.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I support cracking down on illegal pharmacies but worry about consequences for legitimate businesses.
- Clear guidelines and protections are crucial.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
Freelance Graphic Designer (Chicago, IL)
Age: 34 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 14/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I don't expect any major changes for my usual purchases.
- I'm for the policy if it keeps illegal drugs off the web.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $20000000 (Low: $15000000, High: $25000000)
Year 2: $18000000 (Low: $13000000, High: $23000000)
Year 3: $18000000 (Low: $13000000, High: $23000000)
Year 5: $16000000 (Low: $12000000, High: $21000000)
Year 10: $12000000 (Low: $10000000, High: $15000000)
Year 100: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Key Considerations
- The technical feasibility and cost for domain registrars to efficiently implement suspension processes.
- Collaboration between federal, state, and private sector for timely information sharing and action.
- Potential legal challenges regarding domain suspension and free business operations.
- Unintended consequences on legitimate online pharmaceutical sales due to heightened scrutiny.