DEA Schedules Hearing On Proposed Ban Of Psychedelic Compounds With Therapeutic Potential

The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has announced a 10-day hearing to deliberate on the potential ban of two psychedelic compounds, 2,5-dimethoxy-4-iodoamphetamine (DOI) and 2,5-dimethoxy-4-chloroamphetamine (DOC). As reported by Green Market Report, the hearing, scheduled to run from November 12 to November 22, 2024, with a final meeting on November 25, will take place at the DEA hearing facility in Arlington, Virginia.

Compounds At The Center Of Controversy

The proposed rulemaking seeks to place DOI and DOC under Schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act, a classification reserved for substances deemed to have a high potential for abuse with no accepted medical use. These compounds, vital tools for scientists studying serotonin receptors, have been instrumental in over 900 research articles, showing promise in various therapeutic areas, including pain management, anxiety and depression treatment and overdose prevention. Their current status as unscheduled compounds has allowed researchers to explore their potential without the heavy restrictions that come with Schedule I classification.

Stakeholders Gear Up For Legal Battle

The hearing will be presided over by DEA Administrative Law Judge Paul Soeffing, who will hear testimony from stakeholders on both sides of the issue. Those in favor of the ban argue that these compounds pose substantial risks, while opponents, including Students for Sensible Drug Policy (SSDP), contend that the ban would stifle promising medical research.

Research Community Raises Concerns

SSDP has been a vocal opponent of the proposed scheduling, arguing that DOI and DOC are “important research chemicals” with potential therapeutic applications in areas such as pain management, anxiety, depression and overdose prevention. On its website, SSDP stated that scheduling these compounds would create “serious impediments to potentially life-saving research.”

Historical Context And Legal Challenges

The DEA’s efforts to schedule these substances began in April 2022 but faced delays due to legal challenges. A lawsuit filed by Panacea Plant Sciences in an attempt to halt the ban temporarily postponed a hearing initially scheduled for December 2023. However, the lawsuit was dismissed in June 2024, allowing the DEA to proceed with its plans. Despite the setback, Panacea Plant Sciences has indicated that it is appealing the decision.

The scheduled hearing comes amid broader discussions on psychedelic substances’ potential medical benefits and their place within the legal framework. The timing is particularly notable given the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s recent rejection of a new drug application by Lykos Therapeutics for an MDMA-based therapy to treat PTSD.

In addition to the hearing on DOI and DOC, the DEA has also scheduled a separate hearing for December 2, 2024, to discuss the possible rescheduling of marijuana, further highlighting the agency’s ongoing role in shaping the legal landscape of controlled substances in the United States.

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