AM Policy Update: March 17, 2026

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

The DEA temporarily placed bromazolam, a benzodiazepine analog, in Schedule I due to abuse potential, addressing illicit drug supply concerns unrelated to cannabis medicine regulation.

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

# Regulatory Summary The DEA placed three synthetic opioids (butonitazene, flunitazene, and metodesnitazene) into Schedule I, establishing they have no accepted medical use and high abuse potential.

Schedules of Controlled Substances: Placement of Ethylphenidate in Schedule I

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

Importer of Controlled-Biopharmaceutical(2024-20085)DEA1425

# Regulatory Summary DEA Form 1425 (2024-20085) authorizes importation of controlled biopharmaceuticals, including cannabis-derived medicines, establishing compliance requirements for pharmaceutical entities importing Schedule I-V substances.

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

The DEA temporarily placed two synthetic opioids (N-Desethyl Isotonitazene and N-Piperidinyl Etonitazene) in Schedule I, addressing emerging drugs of abuse unrelated to cannabis medicine regulation.

Schedules of Controlled Substances: Rescheduling of Marijuana

# Regulatory Summary The DEA initiated rescheduling proceedings for marijuana under the Controlled Substances Act, evaluating its medical utility and abuse potential to potentially modify its Schedule I classification and regulatory status.

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

The DEA placed three synthetic opioids (etodesnitazene, N-pyrrolidino etonitazene, and protonitazene) into Schedule I, restricting their availability and establishing they have no accepted medical use, relevant to cannabis medicine regulation frameworks.

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

The DEA placed three synthetic opioids (butonitazene, flunitazene, metodesnitazene) in Schedule I, establishing they have no accepted medical use, which may indirectly affect cannabis medicine research by limiting opioid alternatives in pain management studies.

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 through parallel scheduling frameworks.

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 synthetic amphetamines (2,5-dimethoxy-4-iodoamphetamine and 2,5-dimethoxy-4-chloroamphetamine) into Schedule I, prohibiting their use and establishing regulatory precedent for controlling novel psychoactive substances.

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 manufacture, distribution, and possession to address emerging drugs of abuse with cannabis-like effects.

Schedules of Controlled Substances: Placement of Ethylphenidate in Schedule I

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

Schedules of Controlled Substances: Placement of Metonitazene in Schedule I

The DEA placed metonitazene, a synthetic opioid, in Schedule I due to abuse potential and lack of accepted medical use, establishing strict controls on this substance.

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

The DEA temporarily placed five benzodiazrazepine analogs (etizolam, flualprazolam, clonazolam, flubromazolam, diclazepam) into Schedule I, restricting their legal availability and affecting cannabis medicine research utilizing benzodiazepine-based formulations.

Importer of Controlled Substances Application Biopharmaceutical Research Company – DEA1224

# Regulatory Summary A biopharmaceutical research company applied for DEA authorization to import controlled substances, including cannabis-derived materials, for medicinal research and development purposes.

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

# Regulatory Summary DEA approval for controlled substance importation (2024-20083) establishes licensing requirements for entities importing cannabis-derived pharmaceuticals, ensuring compliance with federal scheduling and manufacturing standards.

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

# Regulatory Summary DEA registration 2024-20082 authorizes Cambridge Isotope as a controlled substance importer, enabling legal procurement of regulated cannabis-related materials for research, pharmaceutical development, or analytical 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 updated 2025 payment policies under the Physician Fee Schedule for Medicare and Medicaid Part B services, potentially affecting reimbursement for cannabis-related medical evaluations and treatments.

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 updates to Medicare/Medicaid Part B payment policies and coverage for CY 2025, with potential implications for cannabis-derived medical products’ reimbursement eligibility and payment determinations under federal healthcare programs.