# 2026-16413: DEA slaps Schedule I on tramadol's sneaky metabolite O-DSMT 2026-16413, Schedules of Controlled Substances: Temporary Placement of O-Desmethyltramadol in Schedule I, is a Federal Register rule from Justice Department, Drug Enforcement Administration published 2026-08-12, effective 2026-08-12; PRIA reads it as touching household money (as of 2026-08-19). - Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-16413 - As of: 2026-08-19 - Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts. ## Facts - Document number: 2026-16413 - Title: Schedules of Controlled Substances: Temporary Placement of O-Desmethyltramadol in Schedule I - Type: Rule - Agencies: Justice Department; Drug Enforcement Administration - Citation: 91 FR 52013 - Published: 2026-08-12 - Effective: 2026-08-12 - Comments close: not stated - Significant: no - Touches household money: yes - Regulation identifier numbers: none - Last updated: 2026-08-19 ## In one line DEA slaps Schedule I on tramadol's sneaky metabolite O-DSMT ## Summary 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. ## Effects PRIA read - O-DSMT Temporarily Placed in Schedule I: benefit, medium. The Drug Enforcement Administration temporarily placed O-desmethyltramadol (O-DSMT) in Schedule I effective August 12, 2026 through August 12, 2028. This action imposes Schedule I controls and sanctions on handling of O-DSMT to avoid an imminent hazard to public safety. - Handlers Must Register with DEA: cost, medium. If you manufacture, distribute, import, export, research, analyze, or otherwise handle O-DSMT, you must be registered with DEA to do so as of August 12, 2026. Anyone who currently handles O-DSMT and is not registered must submit an application and may not continue handling O-DSMT unless DEA approve… - Unauthorized Possession Becomes Unlawful: cost, high. Possession of any quantity of O-DSMT in a manner not authorized by the Controlled Substances Act is unlawful on or after August 12, 2026. Individuals possessing O-DSMT without authorization may face administrative, civil, and criminal sanctions. - New DEA Compliance Rules for Registrants: cost, medium. DEA registrants handling O-DSMT must follow Schedule I requirements for security, labeling and packaging, inventory, records, reports, order forms, import/export rules, and manufacturing quotas as of August 12, 2026. Current registrants were given 30 calendar days from August 12, 2026 to comply wit… - Researchers Can Continue for 90 Days: benefit, low. If on August 12, 2026 you were conducting research on O-DSMT and were already registered to research another Schedule I substance, you may continue that O-DSMT research if you submit a completed registration application or modification no later than 90 calendar days after August 12, 2026. You may c… - Surrender Stocks If Unregistered: cost, medium. Any person who does not obtain a Schedule I registration to handle O-DSMT must surrender all currently held quantities of O-DSMT as of August 12, 2026. Retail sales of Schedule I substances to the general public are not allowed under the Controlled Substances Act. ## Related documents - [2026-11526](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-11526): Implementation of the Substance Use-Disorder Prevention That Promotes Opioid Recovery and Treatment for Patients and Communities Act of 201…, 2026-06-09 - [2026-10128](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-10128): Revision of Applications for Manufacturing and Procurement Quotas, 2026-05-20 - [2025-05007](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2025-05007): Expansion of Buprenorphine Treatment via Telemedicine Encounter and Continuity of Care via Telemedicine for Veterans Affairs Patients, 2025-03-24 - [2025-02793](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2025-02793): Expansion of Buprenorphine Treatment via Telemedicine Encounter and Continuity of Care via Telemedicine for Veterans Affairs Patients, 2025-02-19 - [2026-22843](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-22843): Proposed Aggregate Production Quotas for Schedule I and II Controlled Substances and Assessment of Annual Needs for the List I Chemicals Ep…, 2026-11-10 - [2026-22842](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-22842): Adjustment to the 2026 Aggregate Production Quota for d,l-Amphetamine, d-Amphetamine (for Sale), Hydromorphone and Methylphenidate (for Sal…, 2026-11-10 ## Sources - [2026-16413 on federalregister.gov](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/08/12/2026-16413/schedules-of-controlled-substances-temporary-placement-of-o-desmethyltramadol-in-schedule-i) - [2026-16413 as published (PDF)](https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2026-08-12/pdf/2026-16413.pdf) ## Related - [Previous: 2026-16412, Special Conditions: Skyryse, Robinson Helicopter Company Model R66 Helicopter;…](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-16412) - [Next: 2026-16420, Guide To Minimize Biological Hazards in Ready-to-Eat Fresh-Cut Produce; Guidanc…](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-16420) - [All Federal Register documents](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register) Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-16413 (as of 2026-08-19).