Schedules of Controlled Substances: Placement of Diphenidine in Schedule I
Key claim: The DEA proposes placing diphenidine in Schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act to fulfill U.S. obligations under the 1971 Convention on Psychotropic Substances and impose full Schedule I regulatory controls on the substance.
Abstract
(Proposed Rule · Justice Department, Drug Enforcement Administration) The Drug Enforcement Administration proposes placing diphenidine (1-(1,2-diphenylethyl)piperidine), including its salts, isomers, and salts of isomers whenever the existence of such salts, isomers, and salts of isomers is possible, in schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act. This action is being taken, in part, to enable the United States to meet its obligations under the 1971 Convention on Psychotropic Substances. If finalized, this action would impose the regulatory controls and administrative, civil, and criminal sanctions applicable to schedule I controlled substances on persons who handle (manufacture, distribute, reverse distribute, import, export, engage in research, conduct instructional activities or chemical analysis with, or possess) or propose to handle diphenidine.
Why this matters
Scheduling diphenidine as Schedule I extends the strictest federal controls to another dissociative substance, which affects researchers (who must obtain Schedule I registrations), handlers, and law enforcement. It also illustrates how the U.S. uses domestic CSA scheduling to comply with international treaty obligations under the 1971 Psychotropic Convention.