DEA Issues Proposed Regulations Placing Five Synthetic Cannabinoids into Schedule I

March 7, 2012 4:30 pm Topics: Controlled substances and Federal regulations

Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has issued a proposed rule placing five synthetic cannabinoids into Schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act (CSA). The proposed rule was published in the March 1, 2012, Federal Register and extends the final order that temporarily placed these chemicals into Schedule I as of March 1, 2011. The cannabinoids are:

• 1-pentyl-3-(1-naphthoyl)indole (JWH-018);
• 1-butyl-3-(1-naphthoyl)indole (JWH-073);
• 1-[2-(4-morpholinyl)ethyl]-3- (1-naphthoyl)indole (JWH-200);
• 5-(1,1-dimethylheptyl)-2-(3- hydroxycyclohexyl)-phenol (CP-47,497); and
• 5-(1,1-dimethyloctyl)-2-(3-hydroxycyclohexyl)-phenol (cannabicyclohexanol, CP-47,497 C8 homologue)

including their salts, isomers, and salts of isomers whenever the existence of such salts, isomers, and salts of isomers is possible. Their placement into Schedule I makes illegal their manufacture, distribution, possession, importation, and exportation. Comments on the proposed rule must be submitted by April 30, 2012, by following the instructions in the Federal Register notice.

Additional background on synthetic cannabinoids, synthetic cathinones, and related federal and state regulations is available in the February 2012 NABP Newsletter article, “Federal and State Governments Take Action to Stem Onslaught of Two New Classes of Synthetic Drugs.”