AM Policy Update: March 16, 2026

Schedules of Controlled Substances: Temporary Placement of Bromazolam in Schedule I

The DEA temporarily placed bromazolam, a benzodiazepine analog, in Schedule I, restricting its legal availability and relevance to cannabis medicine through potential drug interaction considerations.

Schedules of Controlled Substances: Placement of Butonitazene, Flunitazene, and Metodesnitazene in Schedule I

The DEA placed three synthetic opioids (butonitazene, flunitazene, metodesnitazene) in Schedule I due to abuse potential and lack of accepted medical use, affecting controlled substance regulations.

Schedules of Controlled Substances: Placement of Ethylphenidate in Schedule I

# Regulatory Summary The DEA placed ethylphenidate, a synthetic stimulant, in Schedule I, establishing it as a controlled substance with no accepted medical use—relevant to cannabis medicine as a parallel scheduling precedent for emerging psychoactive substances.

Schedules of Controlled Substances: Temporary Placement of N-pyrrolidino metonitazene and N-pyrrolidino protonitazene in Schedule I

The DEA temporarily placed N-pyrrolidino metonitazene and N-pyrrolidino protonitazene into Schedule I, restricting their availability for research and medical use due to abuse potential.

Importer of Controlled-Biopharmaceutical(2024-20085)DEA1425

# Regulatory Summary The DEA issued importer registration (2024-20085) for controlled biopharmaceutical substances, enabling licensed facilities to legally import cannabis-derived pharmaceutical products for research, development, or distribution purposes.

Schedules of Controlled Substances: Temporary Placement of N-Desethyl Isotonitazene and N-Piperidinyl Etonitazene in Schedule I

The DEA temporarily placed two synthetic opioid analogs (N-desethyl isotonitazene and N-piperidinyl etonitazene) into Schedule I, addressing emerging drugs of abuse unrelated to cannabis medicine regulation.

Schedules of Controlled Substances: Rescheduling of Marijuana

The DEA reclassified marijuana from Schedule I to Schedule III, recognizing accepted medical uses and reducing perceived abuse potential, thereby affecting cannabis medicine research, prescribing practices, and pharmaceutical development.

Schedules of Controlled Substances: Placement of Etodesnitazene, N-Pyrrolidino etonitazene, and Protonitazene in Schedule I

The DEA placed etodesnitazene, N-pyrrolidino etonitazene, and protonitazene in Schedule I, classifying these opioid-like synthetic drugs as having high abuse potential and no accepted medical use.

Schedules of Controlled Substances: Placement of Butonitazene, Flunitazene, and Metodesnitazene Substances in Schedule I

The DEA placed three synthetic opioids (butonitazene, flunitazene, and metodesnitazene) in Schedule I due to abuse potential, establishing controlled substance status with no recognized medical use.

Schedules of Controlled Substances: Placement of 2-Methyl AP-237 in Schedule I

The DEA placed 2-Methyl AP-237, a synthetic opioid analog, into Schedule I, establishing it as a controlled substance with no accepted medical use, impacting cannabis medicine research involving opioid alternatives.

Schedules of Controlled Substances: Placement of 2,5-dimethoxy-4-iodoamphetamine and 2,5-dimethoxy-4-chloroamphetamine in Schedule I

# Regulatory Summary The DEA placed two synthetic amphetamine derivatives (DOI and DOC) in Schedule I, establishing stricter controls on substances with no accepted medical use and high abuse potential.

Schedules of Controlled Substances: Temporary Placement of MDMB–4en–PINACA, 4F–MDMB–BUTICA, ADB–4en–PINACA, CUMYL–PEGACLONE, 5F–EDMB–PICA, and MMB–FUBICA into Schedule I

# Regulatory Summary The DEA temporarily placed six synthetic cannabinoids (MDMB–4en–PINACA, 4F–MDMB–BUTICA, ADB–4en–PINACA, CUMYL–PEGACLONE, 5F–EDMB–PICA, MMB–FUBICA) into Schedule I to restrict their distribution and prevent

Schedules of Controlled Substances: Placement of Ethylphenidate in Schedule I

# Regulatory Summary The DEA placed ethylphenidate, a synthetic stimulant analog, into Schedule I, establishing it as having no accepted medical use and high abuse potential, thereby restricting research and clinical applications.

Schedules of Controlled Substances: Placement of Metonitazene in Schedule I

# Regulatory Summary The DEA placed metonitazene, a synthetic opioid, in Schedule I, establishing it as having no accepted medical use and high abuse potential, distinct from cannabis medicine regulatory frameworks.

Schedules of Controlled Substances: Temporary Placement ofEtizolam, Flualprazolam, Clonazolam, Flubromazolam, and Diclazepam in Schedule I

The DEA temporarily placed five benzodiazrazepines (etizolam, flualprazolam, clonazolam, flubromazolam, and diclazepam) in Schedule I, restricting their legal availability and relevance to cannabis medicine regulation and controlled substance classification.

Importer of Controlled Substances Application Biopharmaceutical Research Company – DEA1224

# DEA Form 1224: Importer of Controlled Substances Application The DEA Form 1224 enables biopharmaceutical research companies to legally import controlled substances, including cannabis-derived compounds, for licensed medical research and pharmaceutical development purposes.

Importer of Controlled-Bright Green(2024-20083)DEA1426

# Regulatory Summary DEA registration 2024-20083 authorizes an importer to legally obtain controlled cannabis materials for medical research, manufacturing, or distribution purposes under federal regulations.

Importer of Controlled-Cambridge Isotope(2024-20082)DEA1429

# Regulatory Summary DEA registration 2024-20082 authorizes Cambridge Isotope Laboratories to import controlled precursors or substances for cannabis-related pharmaceutical research and development purposes.

Medicare and Medicaid Programs: Calendar Year 2025 Payment Policies Under the Physician Fee Schedule and Other Changes to Part B Payment and Coverage Policies; etc.

# Regulatory Summary CMS updates 2025 Medicare and Medicaid physician payment policies and Part B coverage; relevant to cannabis medicine as it may affect reimbursement eligibility and payment rates for qualifying providers.

Medicare and Medicaid Programs; CY 2025 Payment Policies under the Physician Fee Schedule and Other Changes to Part B Payment and Coverage Policies; Medicare Shared Savings Program Requirements; Medicare Prescription Drug Inflation Rebate Program (CMS-1807-P)

# Regulatory Summary CMS proposed 2025 Medicare Part B payment policies and coverage rules; cannabis-derived medications remain federally controlled substances excluded from Medicare coverage under current law.