DEA Assigns Temporary Placement of Four Synthetic Cannabinoids Into Schedule I

On January 10, 2014, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) issued a notice of intent to temporarily schedule four synthetic cannabinoids into Schedule I.  The action has been deemed necessary to avoid an imminent hazard to public safety.  The substances are quinolin-8-yl 1-pentyl-1H-indole-3-carboxylate (PB–22QUPIC); quinolin-8-yl 1-(5-fluoropentyl)-1H-indole-3-carboxylate (5-fluoro-PB–22; 5F–PB–22); N-(1-amino-3-methyl-1-oxobutan-2-yl)-1-(4-fluorobenzyl)-1H-indazole-3-carboxamide (AB–FUBINACA); and N-(1-amino-3,3-dimethyl-1-oxobutan-2-yl)-1-pentyl-1H-indazole-3-carboxamide (ADB–PINACA).

Any final order will impose the administrative, civil, and criminal sanctions and regulatory controls applicable to Schedule I substances under the CSA on the manufacture, distribution, possession, importation, exportation, research, and conduct of instructional activities of these synthetic cannabinoids.  The final order will be published in the Federal Register and may not be effective prior to February 10, 2014.