The DEA published a new document in the Federal Register on September 2 requesting an increase in production for certain Schedule I and Schedule II substances so that it can initiate more research studies.
Titled “Proposed Adjustments to the Aggregate Production Quotas for Schedule I and II Controlled Substances and Assessment of Annual Needs for the List I Chemicals Ephedrine, Pseudoephedrine, and Phenylpropanolamine for 2021,” the article specifically includes some major changes for cannabis and psilocybin.
In the document’s section dedicated to explaining adjustments for 2021, it begins with mentioning the changes to cannabis and psilocybin. “DEA is proposing significant increases to the APQs of the schedule I substances psilocybin, psilocin, marihuana, and marihuana extract, which are directly related to increased interest by DEA registrants in the use of hallucinogenic controlled substances for research and clinical trial purposes,” the DEA writes.
“DEA firmly believes in supporting regulated research of schedule I controlled substances. Therefore, the APQ increases reflect the need to fulfill research and development requirements in the production of new drug products, and the study of marijuana effects in particular, as necessary steps toward potential Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval of new drug products.”
Among many scheduled substances listed in a chart, no changes were noted between the “established 2021 quotas” and “proposed revised 2021 quotas.” For the entries that did include a change, most were increased by only 30 grams, with a few exceptions. However, the listing for psilocybin received a proposed increase from 30 grams to 1,500 grams, and psilocyn received an increase from 50 grams to 1,000 grams. Likewise, “marihuana” received a bump from 1,500,000 grams to 2,000,000 grams, and the “marihuana extract” quota increased from 200,000 grams to 500,000 grams.