The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has announced new production quotas for Schedule I and II controlled substances, with a particular focus on increasing the supply of certain hallucinogens for research purposes. As Marijuana Moment reports, substances targeted for increased production include psilocybin, psilocin, and ibogaine, reflecting growing scientific interest in their therapeutic properties. Meanwhile, marijuana production quotas remain unchanged as the agency prepares for a major decision on regulatory changes.
Increasing production of hallucinogens to support research
In its revised 2024 and newly proposed 2025 quotas, the DEA is proposing a significant increase in the production of psychedelic drugs such as psilocybin and psilocin. The 2024 quotas will increase to 30,000 grams and 36,000 grams, respectively, and will remain at those levels through 2025. Similarly, ibogaine production will increase from 150 grams to 210 grams in 2025 to meet growing research demand.
“These proposed increases are intended to support research and clinical trials conducted by DEA-registered Schedule I investigators,” the administration said. “DEA remains committed to ensuring that all patients with legitimate medical need have access to appropriately prescribed medicines.”
Cannabis quotas remain stable amid rescheduling considerations
While research opportunities are expanding in the psychedelic drug field, cannabis quotas remain unchanged. Beginning in 2023, the DEA is maintaining the marijuana total production quota (APQ) at 6.675 million grams, with no changes to quotas for other substances such as DMT, MDMA, LSD, and mescaline. This stabilization of cannabis production quotas comes as the DEA prepares to hold an administrative hearing in December to consider moving cannabis to Schedule III of the Controlled Substances Act.
Barriers to cannabis research likely to continue
Reclassifying cannabis would change how researchers can access the plant for research and could remove it from the annual APQ process. But as a recent Congressional Research Service report points out, reclassification alone may not fully ease research barriers. The report notes that even with a move to Schedule III, “medical researchers and pharmaceutical sponsors of drugs containing marijuana or CBD will not be able to benefit from these looser regulations that come with the reclassification without Congressional action.”
The prevalence of psychedelics in mental health treatment
The DEA’s focus on psychedelic drug production comes at a time when studies and anecdotal reports, including from U.S. Rep. Morgan Luttrell (R-Texas), have highlighted the promise of psychedelics in treating serious mental illnesses. Ibogaine, for example, has been gaining attention as a potential treatment for addiction, and researchers and advocates have called on the DEA to support more research into it.
Amid these developments, the DEA is also set to address other psychedelic issues during a 10-day hearing on a proposed ban of two psychedelic compounds, DOI and DOC. The hearing comes on the heels of a federal court ruling that dismissed a lawsuit that challenged the DEA’s scheduling process for these substances.
At the same time, the Food and Drug Administration recently rejected an application for an MDMA-assisted therapy, a decision that drew criticism on both sides of the aisle. Despite this setback, the increased attention on psychedelic drug research signals a major shift in the DEA’s approach to drug policy, particularly with regard to substances that may have therapeutic benefits.
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