There is some risk that since the simulated controlled substances is sold "as" a controlled substance, a court would rule the state law prohibiting it would be a law "related to" a controlled substance. Such a violation should not be an aggravated felony, however, since the federal counterfeit controlled substances law does not cover sale of flour pretending it is a controlled substance. See 21 U.S.C. 802(7) ("counterfeit controlled substance" must be a "controlled substance" pretending to be manufactured by someone other than the actual manufacturer), 841(a)(2) (sale, etc. of counterfeit controlled substances prohibited). A "simulated controlled substance" is clearly distinct from a "counterfeit substance" treated in 21 USC 841(a)(2), and not included in the Controlled Substance Act, so it shouldn't be an aggravated felony. As far as being a crime related to a controlled substance, three circuits have addressed the issue in the context of the USSG guidelines, (which can be distinguished since it uses a different definition). United States v. Crittenden, 372 F.3d 706, (5th Cir. 2004) (Texas USSG case holds a simulated CS is a controlled substance); United States v. Frazier, 89 F.3d 1501, 1505 (11th Cir. 1996) (same); United States v. Hester, 917 F.2d 1083, 1085 (8th Cir. 1990); but cf. United States v. Peters, 215 F.3d 861, 862 (8th Cir. 2000) ("[Th]e district court determined conspiracy to sell a simulated controlled substance, in this case baking soda, did not qualify as a controlled substance offense under the guidelines and the government does not appeal this determination."). Thanks to Jonathan Moore for this analysis.