Drug Scheduling & Controlled Substances

Current understanding

To be populated as evidence accumulates.

Evidence log

• 2024-05-01 — Cannabis Administration and Opportunity Act: The reintroduced Cannabis Administration and Opportunity Act (introduced, not enacted) would remove cannabis from the Controlled Substances Act, establish federal commercial-cannabis regulation and excise taxation, and expunge nonviolent federal cannabis records; introduction alone changes neither patients’ legal access nor insurance coverage. (novelty: 3)
• 2022-07-21 — Cannabis Administration and Opportunity Act: The Cannabis Administration and Opportunity Act, introduced and referred to committee in the 117th Congress but not enacted, would have removed cannabis from the Controlled Substances Act, established a federal commercial-sales regulatory framework, and expunged certain federal cannabis offenses, but made no change to patients’ legal access or insurance coverage. (novelty: 2)
• 2026-10-29 — To amend the Controlled Substances Act to better align such Act with modern medical knowledge, establish a new system for the scheduling of controlled substances, redelegate certain authorities, promote scientific research, and for other purposes.: 2026 — House bill (introduced, referred to multiple committees) would rewrite the Controlled Substances Act to establish a new scheduling system, redelegate certain scheduling authorities away from current actors, and ease barriers to scientific research on controlled substances — a comprehensive CSA overhaul proposal rather than a single-substance scheduling action. (novelty: 3)
• 2025-04-17 — PREPARE Act of 2025: 2025 — PREPARE Act of 2025 (House, introduced and referred to committees) would task DOJ with convening a commission to study a federal regulatory framework for adult-use cannabis in the event prohibition ends — a non-binding planning step rather than a change to CSA scheduling of cannabis. (novelty: 2)
• 2022-12-01 — PREPARE Act of 2022: 2022 — PREPARE Act of 2022 (introduced in Senate) would direct the Justice Department to establish a commission to study a federal regulatory framework for adult-use cannabis in the event prohibition ends, a non-binding study step rather than a scheduling change. (novelty: 2)
• 2026-10-14 — Schedules of Controlled Substances: Temporary Placement of MGM-15 and MGM-16 in Schedule I: 2026 — DEA proposed rule would make permanent the Schedule I placement of MGM-15 and MGM-16 (two 7-hydroxymitragynine-related designer substances previously temporarily scheduled), continuing full CSA controls on manufacture, distribution, import, export, research, and possession. (novelty: 2)
• 2026-10-14 — Schedules of Controlled Substances: Temporary Placement of 7- Hydroxymitragynine and Mitragynine Pseudoindoxyl Above a Specified Threshold in Schedule I: 2026 — DEA proposed rule would temporarily place 7-hydroxymitragynine and mitragynine pseudoindoxyl in Schedule I when either alkaloid alone or combined exceeds a specified concentration threshold, imposing full CSA controls (manufacture, distribution, import, export, research, possession) on above-threshold kratom-derived products while leaving below-threshold products unscheduled. (novelty: 3)
• 2026-10-30 — Schedules of Controlled Substances: Placement of Centanafadine in Schedule III: 2026 — DEA final rule places centanafadine (Simtriyo), a newly FDA-approved ADHD medication, in Schedule III, subjecting it to CSA prescribing, recordkeeping, and diversion-control requirements applicable to Schedule III controlled substances. (novelty: 2)
• 2025-11-03 — DETECT Nitazenes Act of 2025: 2025 — DETECT Nitazenes Act of 2025 (S. 3093) introduced in the Senate and referred to Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, adding a Senate-side companion effort to detect and control nitazene-class synthetic opioids alongside the STOP Nitazenes Act and Nitazene Control Act. (novelty: 2)
• 2025-10-30 — Nitazene Control Act: 2026 — Nitazene Control Act (introduced in Senate) would place nitazene-class synthetic opioids under federal controlled-substance restrictions, paralleling the House-side STOP Nitazenes Act effort to bring this emerging potent opioid class under permanent CSA control. (novelty: 2)
• 2026-09-21 — Schedules of Controlled Substances: Placement of Diphenidine in Schedule I: 2026 — DEA final rule permanently places diphenidine (a dissociative arylcyclohexylamine) in Schedule I to fulfill U.S. obligations under the 1971 Convention on Psychotropic Substances, imposing full CSA controls on manufacture, distribution, import, export, research, and possession along with criminal penalties. (novelty: 2)
• 2026-09-23 — Schedules of Controlled Substances: Placement of 4-Hydroxy-N,N-Diisopropyltryptamine (4-OH-DiPT), 5-Methoxy-alpha-Methyltryptamine (5-MeO-AMT), 5-Methoxy-N-Methyl-N-Isopropyltryptamine (5-MeO-MiPT), 5-Methoxy-N,N-Diethyltryptamine (5-MeO-DET), and N,N-Diisopropyltryptamine (DiPT) Into Schedule I: 2026 — DEA proposed rule would place five tryptamine hallucinogens (4-OH-DiPT, 5-MeO-AMT, 5-MeO-MiPT, 5-MeO-DET, and DiPT) in Schedule I, imposing full CSA controls on manufacture, distribution, import, export, research, and possession. (novelty: 2)
• 2026-10-01 — Extension of Reexportation Period.: 2026 — DEA proposed rule would extend the window for reexporting controlled substances from the U.S. to non-EEA destinations from six months to one year after U.S. customs release, giving pharmaceutical exporters more time to complete onward shipments without losing CSA export compliance. (novelty: 2)
• 2026-08-26 — Schedules of Controlled Substances: Temporary Placement of Mitragynine Pseudoindoxyl, MGM-15, and MGM-16 in Schedule I: DEA temporary order places three 7-hydroxymitragynine-related substances (mitragynine pseudoindoxyl, MGM-15, and MGM-16) in Schedule I, imposing full CSA controls on manufacture, distribution, import, export, possession, and research, with criminal sanctions for violations. (novelty: 3)
• 2026-08-27 — Schedules of Controlled Substances: Temporary Placement of 5,6-Dichloro Brorphine, 5,6-Dichloro Desmethylchlorphine, N-Propionitrile Chlorphine, and Spirochlorphine in Schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act: DEA temporary order places four chlorphine-family synthetic opioid analogues (5,6-dichloro brorphine, 5,6-dichloro desmethylchlorphine, N-propionitrile chlorphine, and spirochlorphine) in Schedule I, subjecting them to full CSA controls on manufacture, distribution, import, export, possession, and research. (novelty: 2)
• 2026-08-27 — Schedules of Controlled Substances: Placement of Cipepofol in Schedule IV: DEA final rule places cipepofol (Cypsedo), a newly FDA-approved anesthetic, in Schedule IV, subjecting it to CSA controls on manufacture, distribution, prescribing, and recordkeeping consistent with moderate abuse-potential drugs. (novelty: 2)
• 2026-07-21 — STOP Nitazenes Act: 2026 — STOP Nitazenes Act (HR7970, 119th Congress) ordered reported in the nature of a substitute by 28–21 vote, advancing a legislative vehicle to bring nitazene-class synthetic opioids under further CSA control. (novelty: 2)
• 2026-07-21 — Combating Illicit Xylazine Act: 2025 — Combating Illicit Xylazine Act (HR1266) ordered reported unanimously from committee; would place illicit xylazine under federal Controlled Substances Act controls while preserving legitimate veterinary use, targeting a major emerging adulterant in the illicit opioid supply. (novelty: 3)
• 2026-08-03 — Amendment to 3,4-MDP-2-P Methyl Glycidic Acid, a List I Chemical: 2026 — DEA proposed rule would amend the List I chemical listing of 3,4-MDP-2-P methyl glycidic acid (PMK glycidic acid) under the CSA to expressly include its esters and related salts and isomers not otherwise listed, closing a precursor-control gap used in MDMA/MDA synthesis. (novelty: 2)
• 2023-10-25 — Federal Kratom Consumer Protection Act: 2025 — Federal Kratom Consumer Protection Act (introduced) would require FDA to hold a hearing and establish a kratom health-and-safety task force, and would bar FDA from regulating kratom more restrictively than food or dietary supplements — a legislative ceiling on FDA authority that runs counter to concurrent DEA temporary-scheduling actions on kratom-derived alkaloids. (novelty: 2)
• 2026-03-19 — END 7-OH Act: 2025 — END 7-OH Act (HR8000, 119th Congress) introduced and referred to House Energy and Commerce and Judiciary committees; would regulate 7-hydroxymitragynine, complementing DEA’s concurrent proposed temporary Schedule I placement of 7-OH above a concentration threshold. (novelty: 2)
• 2022-12-20 — Federal Clarity for Kratom Consumers Act: 2025 — Federal Clarity for Kratom Consumers Act (introduced) would require FDA to hold a hearing and establish a kratom health-and-safety task force, and would prohibit FDA from regulating kratom more restrictively than food, dietary supplements, or dietary ingredients — a legislative counterweight to concurrent DEA temporary-scheduling actions on kratom-derived alkaloids. (novelty: 2) (novelty: 2)
• 2025-07-16 — HALT Fentanyl Act: HALT Fentanyl Act enacted — permanently places fentanyl-related substances as a class into CSA Schedule I, aligns their trafficking penalties with fentanyl analogues, and streamlines Schedule I research registration requirements, converting prior temporary class scheduling into permanent statute. (novelty: 3)
• 2025-02-10 — HALT Fentanyl Act: 2025 — HALT Fentanyl Act (introduced) would permanently place fentanyl-related substances as a class into Schedule I of the CSA, apply fentanyl-analogue quantity thresholds and criminal penalties, and ease certain DEA registration requirements for Schedule I research — consolidating prior temporary class scheduling into permanent law. (novelty: 3)
• 2026-07-23 — To amend the Controlled Substances Act and the Controlled Substances Import and Export Act to modify the offenses relating to fentanyl, and for other purposes.: 2025 — HR9937 (introduced) would amend the Controlled Substances Act and the Controlled Substances Import and Export Act to modify criminal offenses relating to fentanyl, an incremental statutory change to existing fentanyl offense provisions without a disclosed new scheduling framework. (novelty: 2)
• 2026-07-15 — Stop Pills That Kill Act: 2025 — Stop Pills That Kill Act (HR8005) advanced: forwarded by subcommittee to full committee (amended) by voice vote in the 119th Congress, moving the counterfeit-fentanyl enforcement and DEA reporting bill one step further in the House legislative process. (novelty: 2)
• 2026-07-15 — Fight Illicit Pill Presses Act: cross-connection with pill-press-machine-regulation: Extends CSA regulatory authority — traditionally focused on scheduled substances themselves — deeper into the equipment supply chain used to press counterfeit pills, with parts-level coverage and serial-number tracing. (novelty: 3)
• 2026-05-20 — Hemp Planting Predictability Act: 2026 — Hemp Planting Predictability Act (introduced) would delay the effective date of FY2026 appropriations changes to the federal definition of lawful hemp — which would reimpose CSA-style controls on certain hemp-derived products — from November 12, 2026 to November 12, 2028, giving growers and processors an additional two years before the tighter definition takes effect. (novelty: 2)
• 2026-07-16 — A bill to decriminalize and deschedule cannabis, to provide for reinvestment in certain persons adversely impacted by the War on Drugs, to provide for expungement of certain cannabis offenses, and for other purposes.: 2025 — S5022 (introduced) would deschedule cannabis from the CSA entirely, decriminalize it at the federal level, and pair removal with expungement of prior cannabis offenses and reinvestment funding for communities affected by the War on Drugs. (novelty: 2)
• 2026-06-30 — IBOGAINE Act: 2025 — IBOGAINE Act (H.R. 9559) introduced and referred to House Energy and Commerce, Judiciary, and Veterans’ Affairs; signals congressional interest in access/research pathways for ibogaine, currently a Schedule I substance under the CSA, particularly for veteran addiction treatment. (novelty: 3)
• 2026-03-26 — Preventing Illegal Laboratories and Protecting Public Health Act of 2026: 2026-03 — S4227 (Preventing Illegal Laboratories and Protecting Public Health Act of 2026) introduced and referred to Senate HELP; sits adjacent to CSA scheduling by targeting clandestine drug manufacturing infrastructure. (novelty: 2)
• 2026-07-09 — Designation of Phenethyl Halides as List I Chemicals: 2026 — DEA proposed rule would designate phenethyl halides as List I chemicals under the CSA to control their use as fentanyl precursors, with no minimum transaction threshold, subjecting handlers to registration, recordkeeping, and reporting requirements. (novelty: 3)
• 2025-10-30 — Stop Pills That Kill Act: 2025 — Stop Pills That Kill Act (introduced) would expand criminal penalties for manufacturing fentanyl and counterfeit controlled substances, require DEA to implement a counterfeit fentanyl/methamphetamine enforcement and education plan, and mandate annual DOJ reporting on related law enforcement activity. (novelty: 2)
• 2026-07-08 — Schedules of Controlled Substances: Placement of Tianeptine in Schedule I: DEA proposed rule would place tianeptine — an unapproved antidepressant sold in supplements and linked to abuse and overdose — in Schedule I, imposing full CSA controls on manufacture, distribution, import, export, research, and possession, along with criminal sanctions. (novelty: 2)
• 2026-05-13 — Schedules of Controlled Substances: Placement of CUMYL-PEGACLONE in Schedule I: DEA final rule places the synthetic cannabinoid CUMYL-PEGACLONE (SGT-151) in Schedule I to fulfill U.S. obligations under the 1971 Convention on Psychotropic Substances, imposing full CSA controls on manufacture, distribution, import, export, research, and possession. (novelty: 2)
• 2026-05-20 — Expanding Access to State Prescription Drug Monitoring Programs: 2026 — VA proposed rule would clarify who may query state PDMPs and mandate VA disclosure of controlled-substance prescribing data to state PDMPs to help prevent misuse and diversion, extending federal integration with state controlled-substance monitoring infrastructure. (novelty: 2)
• 2026-05-20 — Revision of Applications for Manufacturing and Procurement Quotas: 2026 — DEA proposed rule would revise manufacturing and procurement quota application regulations for Schedule I/II controlled substances and List I chemicals, restructuring domestic vs. export subcategories to improve supply chain visibility and reduce shortage risk. (novelty: 2)
• 2025-02-06 — Alternatives to PAIN Act: cross-connection with alternatives-to-pain-act: Policy incentivizes non-opioid alternatives, connecting Part D benefit design to broader federal strategy on opioid controlled substances. (novelty: 3)
• 2026-05-21 — Authority of Drug Enforcement Administration Supervisory Diversion Investigators, Field Intelligence Managers, and Intelligence Group Supervisors To Sign and Issue Administrative Subpoenas: DEA final rule expands administrative subpoena signing authority under the Controlled Substances Act to Supervisory Diversion Investigators, Field Intelligence Managers, and Intelligence Group Supervisors, broadening the pool of DEA personnel who can compel records in diversion and drug investigations. (novelty: 2)
• 2026-05-22 — Schedules of Controlled Substances: Temporary Placement of 2-Fluorodeschloroketamine in Schedule I: DEA temporary order places 2-fluorodeschloroketamine (2-FDCK), a ketamine analogue, in Schedule I based on an imminent hazard to public safety finding, subjecting handlers to full CSA controls on manufacture, distribution, import, export, research, and possession. (novelty: 2)
• 2026-05-26 — Schedules of Controlled Substances: Placement of Diphenidine in Schedule I: DEA proposed rule would place diphenidine (a dissociative arylcyclohexylamine) in Schedule I to satisfy U.S. obligations under the 1971 Convention on Psychotropic Substances, imposing full CSA controls on manufacture, distribution, import, export, research, and possession. (novelty: 2)
• 2026-06-09 — Implementation of the Substance Use-Disorder Prevention That Promotes Opioid Recovery and Treatment for Patients and Communities Act of 2018: Dispensing and Administering Controlled Substances for Medication-Assisted Treatment: DEA final rule implements SUPPORT Act (2018) and Restoring Hope Act (2022) provisions on dispensing and administering controlled substances for medication-assisted treatment of opioid use disorder, codifying practitioner eligibility and pharmacy delivery rules within CSA regulations. (novelty: 2)
• 2026-06-24 — Schedules of Controlled Substances: Temporary Placement of O-Desmethyltramadol in Schedule I: DEA temporary order places O-desmethyltramadol (O-DSMT), the active metabolite of tramadol, in Schedule I, subjecting handlers to full CSA controls on manufacture, distribution, import, export, research, and possession. (novelty: 2) (novelty: 2)
• 2026-07-06 — Schedules of Controlled Substance: Temporary Placement of 7-Hydroxymitragynine Above a Specified Threshold in Schedule I: DEA proposed rule would temporarily place 7-hydroxymitragynine above a specified concentration threshold in Schedule I, imposing full CSA controls (manufacture, distribution, possession, research) on the kratom alkaloid when present above the threshold. (novelty: 3)
• 2026-07-06 — Schedules of Controlled Substances: Temporary Placement of Mitragynine Pseudoindoxyl, MGM-15, and MGM-16 in Schedule I: DEA proposed rule would temporarily place three 7-hydroxymitragynine-related substances (mitragynine pseudoindoxyl, MGM-15, and MGM-16) in Schedule I, extending kratom-analog controls under the CSA’s temporary scheduling authority. (novelty: 2)
• 2025-09-18 — Fight Illicit Pill Presses Act: 2026 — Fight Illicit Pill Presses Act (introduced) would expand CSA coverage of tableting/encapsulating machines to critical parts and to sellers/deliverers, mandate permanent serial numbers, and create criminal penalties for removing serial numbers or knowingly transporting machines with removed serials — targeting illicit counterfeit pill manufacture rather than scheduling itself. (novelty: 3)
• 2026-03-19 — School Access to Naloxone Act of 2026: 2026 — School Access to Naloxone Act of 2026 (citation removed): Bill (introduced, in Senate committee) would expand naloxone availability in schools; tangential to scheduling policy — naloxone is not a controlled substance, but the measure sits within the broader federal opioid overdose response framework. (novelty: 2) (novelty: 2)
• 2025-01-22 — Protecting First Responders from Secondary Exposure Act of 2025: Protecting First Responders from Secondary Exposure Act of 2025 (introduced) would amend DOJ’s COSSUP grant program to fund fentanyl containment devices and training to prevent secondary exposure among first responders — a workforce-safety response to the fentanyl supply rather than a scheduling change. (novelty: 2)

Open questions

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