Schedules of Controlled Substances: Temporary Placement of 2-Fluorodeschloroketamine in Schedule I
Key claim: The DEA is temporarily placing 2-fluorodeschloroketamine (2-FDCK) in Schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act due to an imminent hazard to public safety, imposing full Schedule I regulatory controls.
Abstract
(Rule · Justice Department, Drug Enforcement Administration) The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) issues this temporary order to schedule 2-(2-fluorophenyl)-2- (methylamino)cyclohexan-1-one (commonly known as 2- fluorodeschloroketamine or 2-FDCK), including its salts, isomers, and salts of isomers whenever the existence of such salts, isomers, and salts of isomers is possible within the specific chemical designation, in schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act. DEA bases this action on a finding that placing 2-fluorodeschloroketamine in schedule I is necessary to avoid an imminent hazard to public safety. This order imposes 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, or possess), or propose to handle this substance.
Why this matters
Emergency Schedule I placement of 2-FDCK adds another dissociative ketamine analogue to the growing list of substances DEA has temporarily scheduled, extending criminal and regulatory controls to researchers, labs, and handlers who previously operated in an unscheduled space. For clinicians and researchers exploring ketamine-adjacent compounds, the action signals continued DEA reliance on emergency scheduling authority to address novel psychoactive substances.