AM Policy Update: March 11, 2026 – DEA Rescheduling Marijuana

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AM Policy Update
March 11, 2026. 20 regulatory items from Federal Register, regulations.gov, and regulatory RSS feeds.

Score 85Regulations.gov

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, restricting their availability and establishing no recognized medical use, with limited relevance to cannabis medicine regulation.

Score 85Regulations.gov

Schedules of Controlled Substances: Placement of Ethylphenidate in Schedule I

Regulatory Summary

The DEA placed ethylphenidate, a synthetic stimulant and controlled substance analog, into Schedule I, restricting its legal availability and establishing it as having high abuse potential and no accepted medical use.

Score 85Regulations.gov

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 in Schedule I, classifying these synthetic opioids as controlled substances with no accepted medical use.

Score 85Regulations.gov

Importer of Controlled-Biopharmaceutical(2024-20085)DEA1425

Regulatory Summary

DEA registration 2024-20085 authorizes an entity to import controlled biopharmaceuticals, including cannabis-derived medicines, for legitimate medical research and pharmaceutical development purposes.

Score 85Regulations.gov

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

The DEA temporarily placed two isotonitazene analogs in Schedule I, addressing emerging synthetic opioids; this action is not directly relevant to cannabis medicine regulation.

Score 85Regulations.gov

Schedules of Controlled Substances: Rescheduling of Marijuana

Regulatory Summary

The DEA reclassified marijuana from Schedule I to Schedule III, recognizing medical potential while maintaining federal controlled substance restrictions and requiring further research documentation for therapeutic applications.

Score 85Regulations.gov

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 synthetic opioids as controlled substances with no accepted medical use.

Score 85Regulations.gov

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

The DEA placed butonitazene, flunitazene, and metodesnitazene in Schedule I, classifying these synthetic opioids as having no accepted medical use and high abuse potential.

Score 85Regulations.gov

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, relevant to cannabis medicine regulation frameworks.

Score 85Regulations.gov

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

The DEA placed two synthetic amphetamine derivatives (DOI and DOC) into Schedule I, establishing they have no accepted medical use, which indirectly impacts cannabis medicine by reinforcing federal scheduling frameworks governing controlled substances.

Score 85Regulations.gov

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

The DEA temporarily placed six synthetic cannabinoids into Schedule I, restricting their legal availability and classifying them as having no accepted medical use, affecting cannabis medicine research and alternative cannabinoid development.

Score 85Regulations.gov

Schedules of Controlled Substances: Placement of Ethylphenidate in Schedule I

The DEA placed ethylphenidate, a synthetic stimulant, in Schedule I controlled substances, establishing it as having high abuse potential with no accepted medical use, with potential implications for regulated substance classification frameworks.

Score 85Regulations.gov

Schedules of Controlled Substances: Placement of Metonitazene in Schedule I

Regulatory Summary

The DEA placed metonitazene, a synthetic opioid, into Schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act, establishing it as having no accepted medical use and high abuse potential.

Score 85Regulations.gov

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

The DEA temporarily placed five benzodiazrazepam analogs (etizolam, flualprazolam, clonazolam, flubromazolam, diclazepam) into Schedule I, restricting their legal status as controlled substances.

Score 85Regulations.gov

Importer of Controlled Substances Application Biopharmaceutical Research Company – DEA1224

Regulatory Summary

This DEA application (DEA1224) permits a biopharmaceutical research company to import controlled substances, enabling clinical research and development of cannabis-derived pharmaceutical products under federal regulatory oversight.

Score 70Regulations.gov

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

DEA Registration for Cannabis Medicine Importer

The DEA issued import registration 2024-20083 to authorize a controlled substance importer to legally import cannabis-derived pharmaceutical products for medical purposes under federal drug control regulations.

Score 70Regulations.gov

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

Regulatory Summary

DEA Form 1429 approves Cambridge Isotope as a controlled substance importer, enabling legal procurement of isotope-labeled compounds for cannabis medicine research and development applications.

Score 70Regulations.gov

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.

Medicare and Medicaid Programs: Calendar Year 2025 Payment Policies

**Regulatory Summary:**

CMS establishes 2025 payment rates and coverage policies for Medicare Part B services, potentially affecting reimbursement and coverage determinations for cannabis-derived medical products under federal healthcare programs.

Score 70Regulations.gov

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)

This proposed rule establishes Medicare and Medicaid payment policies for 2025, including coverage and reimbursement determinations that may affect cannabis-derived pharmaceutical products’ accessibility and payment under federal insurance programs.

Score 70Regulations.gov

Bulk Manufacturer-Royal Emerald (2024-11786) DEA1368

Regulatory Summary

DEA Form 1368 registration for Royal Emerald as a bulk manufacturer of cannabis, establishing compliance with federal controlled substances regulations for medicinal cannabis production and distribution.

Clinical Commentary

Dr. Caplan’s Take
Clinical Reflection on Policy Digest

Among these 20 items, only item 6 directly pertains to cannabis medicine practice, representing the DEA’s rescheduling decision that finally acknowledges cannabis has accepted medical use despite its Schedule I history. The remaining 19 items focus on synthetic opioids, stimulants, and designer drugs, which signals that federal policy makers are prioritizing enforcement against novel psychoactive substances rather than expanding the regulatory framework that legitimate cannabis medicine practitioners need for clinical evidence generation and patient care. This policy disparity suggests that cannabis medicine will continue developing in a fragmented state where individual practitioners must navigate state-level regulations while federal scheduling limitations restrict the research necessary to establish dosing protocols, drug interactions, and safety profiles comparable to conventional pharmaceuticals.

Drug SchedulingControlled SubstancesDEA RegulationsDrug EnforcementSubstance Classification

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