DEA Bans Bizarre Chemical: CUMYL-PEGACLONE Joins Schedule I Ranks
Published Date: 5/13/2026
Rule
Summary
Starting May 13, 2026, the DEA officially puts CUMYL-PEGACLONE—a chemical that can be risky—into Schedule I, the strictest drug category. This means anyone making, selling, or using it now faces tough rules and penalties. This move helps the U.S. follow international drug laws and keeps communities safer without any new fees or costs.
Analyzed Economic Effects
6 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 4 costs, 0 mixed.
Possession and Sale Now Illegal
As of May 13, 2026, CUMYL-PEGACLONE is placed in Schedule I. Retail sales of Schedule I controlled substances to the general public are not allowed, and possession or any handling not authorized by the Controlled Substances Act may lead to administrative, civil, or criminal penalties.
DEA Registration Required to Handle
If you manufacture, distribute, import, export, research, analyze, or possess CUMYL-PEGACLONE, you must be registered with DEA under 21 U.S.C. 822, 823, 957, and 958 and 21 CFR parts 1301 and 1312. Any person who currently handles CUMYL-PEGACLONE and is not registered may not continue to handle it as of May 13, 2026, unless DEA has approved a registration.
Surrender or Dispose Stocks if Not Registering
If you are unwilling or unable to obtain a Schedule I registration, you must surrender or transfer all quantities of CUMYL-PEGACLONE to a DEA-registered person before the effective date of this rule (May 13, 2026). Disposal must follow 21 CFR part 1317 and applicable Federal, State, local, and Tribal laws.
Registration Compliance: Security, Records, Quotas
DEA registrants handling CUMYL-PEGACLONE must follow Schedule I rules for security, employee screening, labeling and packaging, quotas for manufacture, initial and biennial inventories (including an initial inventory on the date the registrant first engages in handling and inventories every two years thereafter), recordkeeping and reporting, required order forms, and import/export controls.
Temporary Research Continuation Window
If on May 13, 2026 you are already registered to conduct research with another Schedule I substance, you may continue research on CUMYL-PEGACLONE provided you submit a completed application for registration or modification no later than 90 calendar days after May 13, 2026. If DEA serves an order to show cause proposing denial, you must stop research when the order is served unless you request a hearing; requested hearings are to be held on an expedited basis not later than 45 calendar days after the request.
DEA Finds No Significant Small-Entity Impact
DEA certified under the Regulatory Flexibility Act that this final rule will not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities. DEA notes there appear to be no legitimate marketed drug sources and no evidence of significant diversion from legitimate suppliers.
Personalized for You
How does this regulation affect your finances?
Personalize government policy and PRIA will tell you what this federal register document means for your household, plus every other regulation we track. PRIA reads each provision against your financial profile to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.
Key Dates
Department and Agencies
Related Federal Register Documents
2026-11526, Implementation of the Substance Use-Disorder Prevention That Promotes Opioid Recovery and Treatment for Patients and Communities Act of 2018: Dispensing and Administering Controlled Substances for Medication-Assisted Treatment
Starting July 9, 2026, new rules make it easier for doctors and pharmacies to provide medicine that helps people recover from opioid addiction. These changes affect healthcare providers by expanding who can give medication-assisted treatment and how pharmacies can deliver these medicines. The goal? Faster, safer access to treatment with clear rules that save time and support recovery.
2026-10128, Revision of Applications for Manufacturing and Procurement Quotas
The DEA wants to update how companies apply for permission to make and buy certain controlled drugs and chemicals. These changes will make the rules clearer, help prevent drug shortages, and ensure enough supply for medical and scientific needs. If you’re a manufacturer or involved in this process, get ready to follow new steps and share your thoughts by July 20, 2026.
2026-16665, Exempt Chemical Preparations Under the Controlled Substances Act
The applications for exempt chemical preparations received by the Drug Enforcement Administration between March 1, 2026, and June 30, 2026, as listed below, were accepted for filing and have been approved or denied as indicated. This publication addresses preparations through June 30, 2026, that were not included in previous Federal Register notices, and it does not affect preparations that have been previously published.
2026-16413, Schedules of Controlled Substances: Temporary Placement of O-Desmethyltramadol in Schedule I
The Drug Enforcement Administration issues this temporary order to schedule O-desmethyltramadol (other names: O-DSMT; desmetramadol; 3-[(1R,2R)-2-[(dimethylamino)methyl]-1- hydroxycyclohexyl]phenol), including its isomers, esters, ethers, salts, and salts of isomers, esters and ethers, in schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act. DEA bases this action on a finding that placing O-DSMT in schedule I is necessary to avoid an imminent hazard to public safety. This order imposes the regulatory controls and administrative, civil, and criminal sanctions applicable to schedule I controlled substances on persons who handle (manufacture, distribute, reverse distribute, import, export, engage in research, conduct instructional activities or chemical analysis with, or possess) or propose to handle O-DSMT.
2026-16375, Schedules of Controlled Substances: Rescheduling of Suvorexant, Lemborexant, and Daridorexant From Schedule IV Into Schedule V
The Drug Enforcement Administration proposes to transfer suvorexant ([(7R)-4-(5-chloro-1,3-benzoxazol-2-yl)-7-methyl-1,4- diazepan-1-yl]-[5-methyl-2-(triazol-2-yl)phenyl]methanone), lemborexant ((1R,2S)-2-[(2,4-dimethylpyrimidin-5-yl)oxymethyl]-2-(3-fluorophenyl)- N-(5-fluoropyridin-2-yl)cyclopropane-1-carboxamide), and daridorexant ([(2S)-2-(5-chloro-4-methyl-1H-benzimidazol-2-yl)-2-methylpyrrolidin-1- yl]-[5-methoxy-2-(triazol-2-yl)phenyl]methanone) from schedule IV to schedule V of the Controlled Substances Act. If finalized, this action would impose the regulatory controls and administrative, civil, and criminal sanctions applicable to schedule V controlled substances on persons who handle (manufacture, distribute, reverse distribute, import, export, engage in research, conduct instructional activities or chemical analysis with, or possess) or propose to handle suvorexant, lemborexant, and daridorexant.
2026-15624, Amendment to 3,4-MDP-2-P Methyl Glycidic Acid, a List I Chemical
The Drug Enforcement Administration is proposing to modify the listing of the list I chemical 3,4-MDP-2-P methyl glycidic acid (also known as PMK glycidic acid) to include esters of 3,4-MDP-2-P methyl glycidic acid, not listed elsewhere in the Controlled Substances Act (CSA), as list I chemicals under the CSA. The current listing of 3,4- MDP-2-P methyl glycidic acid includes its salts, optical and geometric isomers, and salts of isomers. DEA proposes the new listing to read as follows: 3,4-MDP-2-P methyl glycidic acid (PMK glycidic acid) and its esters, not listed elsewhere in the CSA, its optical and geometric isomers, its salts, salts of its optical and geometric isomers, salts of its esters, not listed elsewhere in the CSA, and any combination thereof, whenever the existence of such is possible.
Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2026-09565, Modernizing Spectrum Sharing for Satellite Broadband
The FCC is updating how satellite companies share space in the sky to bring faster internet, especially to rural areas. They’re replacing old rules with smarter ones that let satellite operators work together and protect each other from interference. These changes kick in on July 13, 2026, helping American homes and businesses get better broadband without extra costs.
Next: 2026-09575, Extension of Import Restrictions Imposed on Categories of Archaeological and Ethnological Material of Türkiye
The U.S. is extending import restrictions on certain ancient and cultural items from Türkiye until March 24, 2031. This means collectors, museums, and sellers need to keep following the rules to protect Türkiye’s heritage. The new rule kicks in on May 13, 2026, keeping the ban active for another five years without any new fees or costs.