DEA Acknowledges Psychedelics & Cannabis Research Needs, Seeks Production Increases

The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has proposed a considerable surplus to the originally-established 2023 production quotas of cannabinoids and psychedelics toward supporting preclinical and clinical research.

This is not the first time. In late 2021 and 2022, the DEA increased the manufacturing quotas of these substances. 

See Also: EXCLUSIVE: Expert Advice On How To Become Compliant Psychedelics Cultivator And Manufacturer

Published in the U.S. Federal Register, the new proposed production amounts show: 

• 15,000 grams for psilocybin (a 187.5% increase from 2023’s original quota and from 2022’s, and a 250% increase from 2021’s final amount);

• 24,000 grams for psilocin (a 200% increase from 2023’s original amount, 600% increase from 2022’s quota, and 685% increase from 2021’s);

• 628,460 grams for delta-9 THC (a 163% increase from 2023’s original quota, and from 2022’s and 2021’s final amounts);

• 150 grams for ibogaine (a 500% rise from 2023’s original quota, and from 2022’s and 2021’s final amounts);

• 350,000 grams for “other tetrahydrocannabinol” (a 2,233% increase from 2023’s original quota, a 17,500% increase from 2022’s final quota, and a 35,000% rise from 2021’s final established amount);

• 6.7 million grams for marijuana (unchanged).

The adjusted increases, the agency specified, “are to support research and clinical trials by DEA-registered Schedule I researchers,” and “demonstrate” its support for research with Schedule I controlled substances. 

These suggestions are subject to a 30-day public comment period. Noticeably, timing coincides with cannabis’ regulatory review for a potential rescheduling under the federal Controlled Substances Act, and psychedelics’ equivalent with the FDA (see MDMA and psilocybin cases.)

See Also: DEA Psilocybin Rescheduling Denial Overruled By Federal Appeals Court

The DEA’s publication of original quotas for 2023 also included the manufacturing of additional psychedelic compounds like MDMA, LSD, 5-MeO-DMT, MDA, mescaline and 2-CB.

As for cannabis, mass production might come easier considering the agency’s authorization to more manufacturers with the specific scope of provision for scientific research.

See Also: First DEA-Approved Company To Harvest Cannabis For Medical Research Says It Was Worth All The Effort

Photo: Benzinga edit with photo by Susie Hedberg and C4289N on Shutterstock.