DEA Seeks to Permanently Schedule Four Dangerous Synthetics
Published Date: 12/16/2025
Proposed Rule
Summary
The DEA wants to make permanent the ban on four new synthetic drugs—4F-MDMB-BUTICA, ADB-4en-PINACA, 5F-EDMB-PICA, and MMB-FUBICA—by placing them in Schedule I. This means anyone making, selling, or using these drugs will face strict legal penalties. You’ve got until January 15, 2026, to share your thoughts before the rule becomes final.
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 2 costs, 0 mixed.
Permanent Schedule I: Criminal Penalties
The DEA proposes to permanently place 4F-MDMB-BUTICA, ADB-4en-PINACA, 5F-EDMB-PICA, and MMB-FUBICA in Schedule I. If finalized, anyone who manufactures, distributes, imports, exports, possesses, or uses these drugs would be subject to the CSA's schedule I administrative, civil, and criminal sanctions.
Registrants Face Schedule I Compliance Rules
If these four substances are permanently scheduled, manufacturers, distributors, importers, exporters, and researchers handling them must register with DEA and comply with Schedule I rules for security, labeling, quotas, inventories, records and reports, order forms, and import/export requirements. DEA identified 11 suppliers of these substances (expects 10 affected) and states most entities already implemented required systems; DEA certified the rule will not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities.
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Key Dates
Department and Agencies
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