The Drug Enforcement Administration is proposing a drastic increase in production quotas by 2023 for marijuana compounds, psychedelics such as psilocybin, and ibogaine. This will “support research and trials” on these substances.
The DEA is looking to double production of psilocybin and psilocyn, as well as delta-9 THC, compared to the initial targets set for this year. It also wants to quadruple the amount produced of ibogaine. It also wants 23 times as much of “other tetrahydrocannabinol,” raising the quota from 15,000 grams to 350,000 grams for 2023.
When it finalized its numbers late last year, the agency had already raised its initial quotas for cannabis and other controlled substances. In a Tuesday notice, the DEA has stated that further changes are needed.
The proposed new quota for psilocybin is 15,000 g, not the 8,000 g previously set. The DEA wants to double the previous quota of 12,000 grams for psilocyn.
The initial 2023 levels, which have now been increased for both “magic mushrooms” components, already represent significant increases over those previously set. This shows the continued increase in interest for psychedelics research.
The DEA also proposes to manufacture 150 grams ibogaine, five times what it requested in December 2022.
The agency has not changed its annual marijuana quota of 6.7 million grams, but it now calls for 628,460 gram of delta-9 THC to be manufactured, instead of 384,460 gramm–a 63 per cent increase.
For all other tetrahydrocannabinol, DEA wants 350,000 grams, a notable increase from its prior 15,000-gram quota–a massive 2,233 percent increase.
The proposal for the increase, which is subject to a 30 day public comment period beginning on Tuesday, comes within the context of a ongoing administrative review of the scheduling status of marijuana that DEA actively carries out after receiving a recommended by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to move marijuana from Schedule I into Schedule III under Controlled Substances Act.
Experts are also awaiting a possible federal approval of certain psychedelics, like psilocybin and MDMA for therapeutic treatment for serious mental health issues.
In its latest notice on quota increases, DEA stated that the updated quotas “reflect the estimated medical, science, research, industrial, and legal export needs of the U.S. as well as the establishment and maintenance reserves.”
“DEA is proposing increases to the [aggregate production quotas] for the following schedule I substances: all other tetrahydrocannabinol, delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, ibogaine, psilocybin, and psilocyn,” it said. These proposed increases will support clinical trials and research by DEA-registered Schedule I researchers. These increases show DEA’s commitment to research on schedule I controlled substances.
|
Substance |
2021 final |
2022 final |
2023 |
2023 final |
2023 adjusted |
| All other tetrahydrocannabinol | 1,000 | 2,000 | 15,000 | 15,000 | 350,000 |
| Psilocybin | 6,000 | 8,000 | 8,000 | 8,000 | 15,000 |
| Psilocyn | 3,500 | 4,000 | 8,000 | 12,000 | 24,000 |
| Delta-9-THC | 384,460 | 384,460 | 384,460 | 384,460 | 628,460 |
| Ibogaine | 30 | 30 | 30 | 30 | 150 |
The DEA’s previous “final” quotas, which were published in late 2012, already included increases compared to the initial proposal. DEA is calling for more psychedelic substances like MDMA, psilocyn, and 5-MeO DMT.
The DEA’s 2021 cannabis quota was 2 million grammes.
DEA authorized more manufacturers in the beginning of this year. These approved cultivators can now apply for to become federal marijuana suppliers under the National Institute on Drug Abuse.
The agency has cited its Schedule I drug-production quotas to show that it supports rigorous research on the substances. However, advocates and scientists have criticized their actions as being antithetical to encouraging studies.
After a backlash, DEA has recently retracted its proposed ban on psychedelic substances which scientists claim have research value.
This was a major victory for the scientific community. It comes just one month after DEA dropped separate plans to include five psychedelics containing tryptamine in Schedule I.
A federal appeals court ruled recently against DEA over a suit filed by a Washington State physician to reschedule psilocybin. The court ruled that DEA did not explain why it denied the petition and ordered it to provide a fuller justification.
A coalition of 31 bipartisan House members has written to DEA Administrator Anne Milgram in regards to the agency’s marijuana scheduling review. They urged her to consider congressional and state marijuana-legalization efforts when completing this assessment. The lawmakers also criticized the limitations in a simple rescheduling, and pushed for a complete removal from the CSA of marijuana.
The letter is a counterbalance for other recent messages DEA received from Congress opponents of reform, former DEA and White House Drug Czars who claim that even moving cannabis to Schedule III would be too far .
A coalition of Republican lawmakers recently urged DEA “to reject” the top federal agency’s recommendation to reschedule cannabis , and instead keep it under the most restrictive category in the CSA.
Two GOP senators have recently introduced new legislation that would prohibit federal agencies from rescheduling marijuana without the tacit approval of Congress.
Image element provided by Kristie Gianpulos.
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