# Schedules of Controlled Substances Placement June 2026 Updates > **Author:** Benjamin Caplan, MD (ABFM Board Certified, MA Lic. #240562, NPI: 1962722637) > **Publisher:** CED Clinic (https://cedclinic.com) > **Canonical URL:** https://cedclinic.com/schedules-controlled-substances-placement-june-2026/ > **Published:** 2026-06-21T13:24:25-04:00 | **Last Modified / Clinically Audited:** 2026-09-29T00:38:22-04:00 > **Clinical Summary:** Explore schedules of controlled substances placement June 2026 updates including synthetic cannabinoids and regulatory changes impacting clinical practice. --- Policy WatchJune 21, 2026. 20 regulatory items above the clinical relevance threshold of 40. Sources include Federal Register, regulations.gov, and regulatory RSS feeds. Listed in descending order of relevance score. Score 70Federal Register [Schedules of Controlled Substances: Placement of MDMB-4en-PINACA in Schedule I](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/04/24/2026-08104/schedules-of-controlled-substances-placement-of-mdmb-4en-pinaca-in-schedule-i) (No summary available.) [Read more →](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/04/24/2026-08104/schedules-of-controlled-substances-placement-of-mdmb-4en-pinaca-in-schedule-i) Score 70Federal Register [Schedules of Controlled Substances: Placement of 3-Methoxyphencyclidine (1-(1-(3-Methoxyphenyl)cyclohexyl)piperidine) in Schedule I](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/03/23/2026-05618/schedules-of-controlled-substances-placement-of-3-methoxyphencyclidine) The DEA placed 3-methoxyphencyclidine, a dissociative anesthetic with no accepted medical use, into Schedule I, impacting any potential research involving this substance and clarifying its legal status separate from cannabis. [Read more →](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/03/23/2026-05618/schedules-of-controlled-substances-placement-of-3-methoxyphencyclidine) Score 70Federal Register [Schedules of Controlled Substances: Temporary Placement of Bromazolam in Schedule I](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/03/16/2026-05064/schedules-of-controlled-substances-temporary-placement-of-bromazolam-in-schedule-i) (No summary available.) [Read more →](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/03/16/2026-05064/schedules-of-controlled-substances-temporary-placement-of-bromazolam-in-schedule-i) Score 70Federal Register [Schedules of Controlled Substances: Placement of Clonazolam, Diclazepam, Etizolam, Flualprazolam, and Flubromazolam in Schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/03/02/2026-04112/schedules-of-controlled-substances-placement-of-clonazolam-diclazepam-etizolam-flualprazolam-and) (No summary available.) [Read more →](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/03/02/2026-04112/schedules-of-controlled-substances-placement-of-clonazolam-diclazepam-etizolam-flualprazolam-and) Score 70Federal Register [Schedules of Controlled Substances: Temporary Placement of 2-Fluorodeschloroketamine in Schedule I](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/01/20/2026-00954/schedules-of-controlled-substances-temporary-placement-of-2-fluorodeschloroketamine-in-schedule-i) (No summary available.) [Read more →](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/01/20/2026-00954/schedules-of-controlled-substances-temporary-placement-of-2-fluorodeschloroketamine-in-schedule-i) Score 70Federal Register [Schedules of Controlled Substances: Placement of 4-Fluoroamphetamine in Schedule I](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/01/15/2026-00633/schedules-of-controlled-substances-placement-of-4-fluoroamphetamine-in-schedule-i) The DEA placed 4-fluoroamphetamine into Schedule I, potentially impacting research access and clinical use if similar scheduling actions were applied to cannabinoids. [Read more →](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/01/15/2026-00633/schedules-of-controlled-substances-placement-of-4-fluoroamphetamine-in-schedule-i) Score 70Federal Register [Schedules of Controlled Substances: Placement of N-Pyrrolidino Metonitazene and N-Pyrrolidino Protonitazene in Schedule I](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/01/12/2026-00362/schedules-of-controlled-substances-placement-of-n-pyrrolidino-metonitazene-and-n-pyrrolidino) (No summary available.) [Read more →](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/01/12/2026-00362/schedules-of-controlled-substances-placement-of-n-pyrrolidino-metonitazene-and-n-pyrrolidino) Score 70Federal Register [Schedules of Controlled Substances: Placement of N-Desethyl Isotonitazene and N-Piperidinyl Etonitazene in Schedule I](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/12/23/2025-23717/schedules-of-controlled-substances-placement-of-n-desethyl-isotonitazene-and-n-piperidinyl) (No summary available.) [Read more →](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/12/23/2025-23717/schedules-of-controlled-substances-placement-of-n-desethyl-isotonitazene-and-n-piperidinyl) Score 70Federal Register [Schedules of Controlled Substances: Placement of 4F-MDMB-BUTICA, ADB-4en-PINACA, 5F-EDMB-PICA, and MMB-FUBICA in Schedule I](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/12/16/2025-22963/schedules-of-controlled-substances-placement-of-4f-mdmb-butica-adb-4en-pinaca-5f-edmb-pica-and) The DEA placed four synthetic cannabinoids into Schedule I, classifying them as having a high potential for abuse and no accepted medical use, impacting [clinical practice](https://cedclinic.com/cannabis-reproductive-health-women-clinical-evidence/) and legal considerations regarding cannabinoid products. [Read more →](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/12/16/2025-22963/schedules-of-controlled-substances-placement-of-4f-mdmb-butica-adb-4en-pinaca-5f-edmb-pica-and) Score 70Federal Register [Schedules of Controlled Substances: Temporary Placement of Bromazolam in Schedule I](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/12/15/2025-22763/schedules-of-controlled-substances-temporary-placement-of-bromazolam-in-schedule-i) (No summary available.) [Read more →](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/12/15/2025-22763/schedules-of-controlled-substances-temporary-placement-of-bromazolam-in-schedule-i) Score 70Federal Register [Schedules of Controlled Substances: Placement of CUMYL-PEGACLONE in Schedule I](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/12/11/2025-22495/schedules-of-controlled-substances-placement-of-cumyl-pegaclone-in-schedule-i) The DEA placed cumyl-pegaclone, a synthetic cannabinoid, into Schedule I, meaning it has a high potential for abuse and no currently accepted medical use in the United States. [Read more →](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/12/11/2025-22495/schedules-of-controlled-substances-placement-of-cumyl-pegaclone-in-schedule-i) Score 70Federal Register [Schedules of Controlled Substances: Placement of 4-Chloromethcathinone in Schedule I](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/11/17/2025-20004/schedules-of-controlled-substances-placement-of-4-chloromethcathinone-in-schedule-i) (No summary available.) [Read more →](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/11/17/2025-20004/schedules-of-controlled-substances-placement-of-4-chloromethcathinone-in-schedule-i) Score 70Federal Register [Schedules of Controlled Substances: Temporary Placement of Ethyleneoxynitazene, Methylenedioxynitazene, 5-Methyl Etodesnitazene, N-Desethyl Etonitazene, N-Desethyl Protonitazene, N,N-Dimethylamino Etonitazene, and N-Pyrrolidino Isotonitazene in Schedule I](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/10/15/2025-19542/schedules-of-controlled-substances-temporary-placement-of-ethyleneoxynitazene-methylenedioxynitazene) (No summary available.) [Read more →](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/10/15/2025-19542/schedules-of-controlled-substances-temporary-placement-of-ethyleneoxynitazene-methylenedioxynitazene) Score 70Federal Register [Schedules of Controlled Substances: Placement of MDMB-4en-PINACA in Schedule I](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/10/02/2025-19348/schedules-of-controlled-substances-placement-of-mdmb-4en-pinaca-in-schedule-i) (No summary available.) [Read more →](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/10/02/2025-19348/schedules-of-controlled-substances-placement-of-mdmb-4en-pinaca-in-schedule-i) Score 70Federal Register [Schedules of Controlled Substances: Placement of Seven Specific Fentanyl-Related Substances in Schedule I](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/09/18/2025-18103/schedules-of-controlled-substances-placement-of-seven-specific-fentanyl-related-substances-in) This temporary scheduling action does not directly impact cannabis but clarifies federal control over fentanyl analogs, potentially affecting [pain management](https://cedclinic.com/cbd-cbg-topicals-for-eczema/) discussions with patients considering alternatives. [Read more →](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/09/18/2025-18103/schedules-of-controlled-substances-placement-of-seven-specific-fentanyl-related-substances-in) Score 70Federal Register [Schedules of Controlled Substances: Temporary Placement of N-pyrrolidino metonitazene and N-pyrrolidino protonitazene in Schedule I](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/08/15/2025-15566/schedules-of-controlled-substances-temporary-placement-of-n-pyrrolidino-metonitazene-and) (No summary available.) [Read more →](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/08/15/2025-15566/schedules-of-controlled-substances-temporary-placement-of-n-pyrrolidino-metonitazene-and) Score 70Federal Register [Schedules of Controlled Substances: Placement of Clonazolam, Diclazepam, Etizolam, Flualprazolam, and Flubromazolam in Schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/07/25/2025-14022/schedules-of-controlled-substances-placement-of-clonazolam-diclazepam-etizolam-flualprazolam-and) (No summary available.) [Read more →](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/07/25/2025-14022/schedules-of-controlled-substances-placement-of-clonazolam-diclazepam-etizolam-flualprazolam-and) Score 70Federal Register [Exempt Chemical Preparations Under the Controlled Substances Act](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/07/01/2025-12198/exempt-chemical-preparations-under-the-controlled-substances-act) (No summary available.) [Read more →](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/07/01/2025-12198/exempt-chemical-preparations-under-the-controlled-substances-act) Score 70Federal Register [Schedules of Controlled Substances: Temporary Placement of Seven Benzimidazole-Opioids in Schedule I](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/06/26/2025-11462/schedules-of-controlled-substances-temporary-placement-of-seven-benzimidazole-opioids-in-schedule-i) (No summary available.) [Read more →](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/06/26/2025-11462/schedules-of-controlled-substances-temporary-placement-of-seven-benzimidazole-opioids-in-schedule-i) Score 70Regulations.gov [Schedules of Controlled Substances: Placement of Butonitazene, Flunitazene, and Metodesnitazene in Schedule I](https://www.regulations.gov/document/DEA-2021-0031-0011) (No summary available.) [Read more →](https://www.regulations.gov/document/DEA-2021-0031-0011) Digest-Level Clinical Commentary Dr. Caplan’s Take These listings represent a significant regulatory shift toward synthetic cannabinoids and novel psychoactive substances rather than cannabis itself, signaling that the primary policy concern has moved away from plant-derived cannabis toward designer drugs that pose greater [public health](https://cedclinic.com/cannabis-mold-contamination-risks-recall-safety/) risks and lack the clinical safety data we have accumulated for cannabis. As a [cannabis medicine](https://cedclinic.com/essential-oils-industrial-hemp-antimicrobial-benefits/) practitioner, this distinction matters enormously because it suggests regulatory agencies are beginning to differentiate between cannabis as a botanical with established pharmacokinetics and the proliferation of uncontrolled synthetic analogs that bypass existing frameworks and often cause serious adverse effects. This development should inform my practice by reinforcing the importance of evidence-based dosing with well-characterized cannabis products while remaining vigilant about patients who may be exposed to contaminated or adulterated products in unregulated markets. Clinical Perspective These regulatory actions reflect the ongoing challenge of controlling novel synthetic substances that emerge faster than formal scheduling can address them, with temporary placements indicating the DEA’s attempt to manage compounds while conducting full regulatory review. The items span multiple drug classes including synthetic cannabinoids, benzodiazepines, dissociatives, stimulants, and opioids, suggesting that clandestine chemists continue to modify established drug structures to circumvent legal restrictions. Clinically, this pattern underscores the need for toxidromes-based recognition and supportive care protocols, since the proliferating number of novel compounds makes specific antidotes or targeted interventions impractical for most emergency and primary care settings. Drug Enforcement[Controlled Substances](https://cedclinic.com/dea-scheduling-cannabis-policy-march-15-2026/)Synthetic DrugsFederal Regulation 💬 Join the Conversation Have a question about how this applies to your situation? [Ask Dr. Caplan →](https://benjamincaplan.com/ask-dr-caplan) Want to discuss this topic with other patients and caregivers? [Join the forum discussion →](https://cedclinic.com/interact/discussion-forums/) Have thoughts on this? Share it: [𝕏 Share on X](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=Just+read+this+on+CEDclinic.com%3A+Policy+Watch+%E2%80%94+June+21%2C+2026+%40drcaplan&url=)[in Share on LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/sharing/share-offsite/?url=)[🦅 Share on BlueSky](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Just+read+this%3A+Policy+Watch+%E2%80%94+June+21%2C+2026+--+via+%40drcaplan.bsky.social+)[📷 Follow on Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/drbenjamincaplan)[📝 Read more on Substack](https://doctorapprovedcannabis.substack.com/)[🔔 Subscribe via RSS](https://cedclinic.com/feed/) Related Articles - Schedules of [Controlled Substances](https://cedclinic.com/dea-scheduling-cannabis-policy-march-15-2026/): Placement of 4F-MDMB-BUTICA, ADB-4en-PINACA, 5F-EDMB-PICA, and MMB-FUBICA in Schedule I - [Schedules of Controlled Substances: Placement of CUMYL-PEGACLONE in Schedule I](https://cedclinic.com/synthetic-cannabinoids-schedule-i-designation/) - Schedules of Controlled Substances: Temporary Placement of 2-Fluorodeschloroketamine in Schedule I [https://cedclinic.com/contact/](https://cedclinic.com/contact/) Physician-Led, Whole-Person Care A doctor who takes the time to truly understand you. Personal care that starts with listening and is guided by experience and ingenuity. Health, Longevity, Wellness One-on-One Cannabis Guidance Metabolic Balance [Leave a Message](https://cedclinic.com/contact/) [Metabolic Care](https://cedclinic.com/metabolic/metabolic-how-it-works/) [Medical Consulting](https://cedclinic.com/book/) [Cannabis Care](https://cedclinic.com/book/) [https://cedclinic.com/contact/](https://cedclinic.com/contact/) RELATED READING AT CED CLINIC Continue exploring the evidence Schedules of Controlled Substances: Placement of 4F-MDMB-BUTICA, ADB-4en-PINACA, 5F-EDMB-PICA, and MMB-FUBICA in Schedule I Detailed coverage of DEA’s placement of synthetic cannabinoids into Schedule I, highlighting regulatory and clinical implications. Read More [Policy Watch: 20 Regulatory Updates — June 02, 2026](https://cedclinic.com/schedules-controlled-substances-placement-june-02-2026/) Previous regulatory updates providing context on [controlled substances](https://cedclinic.com/dea-scheduling-cannabis-policy-march-15-2026/) and synthetic cannabinoid scheduling. [Explore Updates](https://cedclinic.com/schedules-controlled-substances-placement-june-02-2026/) Policy Watch: 19 Regulatory Updates — June 16, 2026 Recent regulatory news on controlled substances and federal scheduling actions relevant to [clinical practice](https://cedclinic.com/cannabis-reproductive-health-women-clinical-evidence/). View Details ### Related --- ### Verification & Medical Governance - **Lead Clinical Author:** Benjamin Caplan, MD - **Credentials:** Board Certified in Family Medicine (ABFM), Founder & CMO CED Clinic & CED Foundation, Author of *The Doctor-Approved Cannabis Handbook* (Penguin Random House). - **Clinical Scale:** 350,000+ lifetime evaluations overseen; 81,008-patient Real-World Evidence Registry (`~/.ced_rwe_vault.db`); 125,000+ peer-reviewed study literature observatory (`http://localhost:8768/api/explorer/terminal`). - **License Verification:** Commonwealth of Massachusetts License #240562 (https://checkahealthlicense.mass.gov/). - **NPI Registry:** 1962722637 (https://npiregistry.cms.hhs.gov/provider-view/1962722637). - **Ethics & Data Privacy:** Clinical registry observations adhere strictly to HIPAA Safe Harbor de-identification (45 CFR § 164.514(b)) and criteria for secondary research exemption under 45 CFR § 46.104(d)(4).