80_FR_70869 80 FR 70650 - Schedules of Controlled Substances: Placement of Three Synthetic Phenethylamines Into Schedule I

80 FR 70650 - Schedules of Controlled Substances: Placement of Three Synthetic Phenethylamines Into Schedule I

DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
Drug Enforcement Administration

Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 219 (November 13, 2015)

Page Range70650-70655
FR Document2015-29026

The Drug Enforcement Administration proposes placing three synthetic phenethylamines: 2-(4-iodo-2,5-dimethoxyphenyl)-N-(2- methoxybenzyl)ethanamine (25I-NBOMe; 2C-I-NBOMe; 25I; Cimbi-5), 2-(4- chloro-2,5-dimethoxyphenyl)-N-(2-methoxybenzyl)ethanamine (25C-NBOMe; 2C-C-NBOMe; 25C; Cimbi-82) and 2-(4-bromo-2,5-dimethoxyphenyl)-N-(2- methoxybenzyl)ethanamine (25B-NBOMe; 2C-B-NBOMe; 25B; Cimbi-36) into schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act. This proposed scheduling action is pursuant to the Controlled Substance Act which requires that such actions be made on the record after opportunity for a hearing through formal rulemaking. If finalized, this action would impose the regulatory controls and administrative, civil, and criminal sanctions applicable to schedule I controlled substances on persons who handle (manufacture, distribute, import, export, engage in research, conduct instructional activities or chemical analysis, or possess), or propose to handle 25I-NBOMe, 25C-NBOMe, or 25B-NBOMe.

Federal Register, Volume 80 Issue 219 (Friday, November 13, 2015)
[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 219 (Friday, November 13, 2015)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 70650-70655]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2015-29026]



[[Page 70649]]

Vol. 80

Friday,

No. 219

November 13, 2015

Part IV





Department of Justice





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Drug Enforcement Administration





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21 CFR Part 1308





Schedules of Controlled Substances: Placement of Three Synthetic 
Phenethylamines Into Schedule I; Proposed Rule

Federal Register / Vol. 80 , No. 219 / Friday, November 13, 2015 / 
Proposed Rules

[[Page 70650]]


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DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE

Drug Enforcement Administration

21 CFR Part 1308

[Docket No. DEA-423]


Schedules of Controlled Substances: Placement of Three Synthetic 
Phenethylamines Into Schedule I

AGENCY: Drug Enforcement Administration, Department of Justice.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking.

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SUMMARY: The Drug Enforcement Administration proposes placing three 
synthetic phenethylamines: 2-(4-iodo-2,5-dimethoxyphenyl)-N-(2-
methoxybenzyl)ethanamine (25I-NBOMe; 2C-I-NBOMe; 25I; Cimbi-5), 2-(4-
chloro-2,5-dimethoxyphenyl)-N-(2-methoxybenzyl)ethanamine (25C-NBOMe; 
2C-C-NBOMe; 25C; Cimbi-82) and 2-(4-bromo-2,5-dimethoxyphenyl)-N-(2-
methoxybenzyl)ethanamine (25B-NBOMe; 2C-B-NBOMe; 25B; Cimbi-36) into 
schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act. This proposed scheduling 
action is pursuant to the Controlled Substance Act which requires that 
such actions be made on the record after opportunity for a hearing 
through formal rulemaking. If finalized, this action would impose the 
regulatory controls and administrative, civil, and criminal sanctions 
applicable to schedule I controlled substances on persons who handle 
(manufacture, distribute, import, export, engage in research, conduct 
instructional activities or chemical analysis, or possess), or propose 
to handle 25I-NBOMe, 25C-NBOMe, or 25B-NBOMe.

DATES: Interested persons may file written comments on this proposal in 
accordance with 21 CFR 1308.43(g). Electronic comments must be 
submitted, and written comments must be postmarked, on or before 
December 14, 2015. Commenters should be aware that the electronic 
Federal Docket Management System will not accept comments after 11:59 
p.m. Eastern Time on the last day of the comment period.
    Interested persons, defined at 21 CFR 1300.01 as those ``adversely 
affected or aggrieved by any rule or proposed rule issuable pursuant to 
section 201 of the Act (21 U.S.C. 811),'' may file a request for 
hearing, notice of appearance, or waiver of hearing pursuant to 21 CFR 
1308.44 and in accordance with 21 CFR 1316.45, 1316.47, and/or 1316.48, 
as applicable. Requests for hearing, notices of appearance, and waivers 
of an opportunity for a hearing or to participate in a hearing must be 
received on or before December 14, 2015.

ADDRESSES: To ensure proper handling of comments, please reference 
``Docket No. DEA-423'' on all correspondence, including any 
attachments.
     Electronic comments: The Drug Enforcement Administration 
encourages that all comments be submitted electronically through the 
Federal eRulemaking Portal, which provides the ability to type short 
comments directly into the comment field on the Web page or to attach a 
file for lengthier comments. Please go to http://www.regulations.gov 
and follow the online instructions at that site for submitting 
comments. Upon completion of your submission you will receive a Comment 
Tracking Number for your comment. Please be aware that submitted 
comments are not instantaneously available for public view on 
Regulations.gov. If you have received a Comment Tracking Number, your 
comment has been successfully submitted and there is no need to 
resubmit the same comment.
     Paper comments: Paper comments that duplicate the 
electronic submission are not necessary and are discouraged. Should you 
wish to mail a paper comment in lieu of an electronic comment, it 
should be sent via regular or express mail to: Drug Enforcement 
Administration, Attn: DEA Federal Register Representative/ODL, 8701 
Morrissette Drive, Springfield, Virginia 22152.
     Hearing requests: All requests for hearing and waivers of 
participation must be sent to: Drug Enforcement Administration, Attn: 
Administrator, 8701 Morrissette Drive, Springfield, Virginia 22152. All 
requests for hearing and waivers of participation should also be sent 
to: Drug Enforcement Administration, Attn: Hearing Clerk/LJ, 8701 
Morrissette Drive, Springfield, Virginia 22152.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: John R. Scherbenske, Office of 
Diversion Control, Drug Enforcement Administration; Mailing Address: 
8701 Morrissette Drive, Springfield, Virginia 22152; Telephone: (202) 
598-6812.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Posting of Public Comments

    Please note that all comments received are considered part of the 
public record. They will, unless reasonable cause is given, be made 
available by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) for public 
inspection online at http://www.regulations.gov. Such information 
includes personal identifying information (such as your name, address, 
etc.) voluntarily submitted by the commenter. The Freedom of 
Information Act (FOIA) applies to all comments received. If you want to 
submit personal identifying information (such as your name, address, 
etc.) as part of your comment, but do not want it to be made publicly 
available, you must include the phrase ``PERSONAL IDENTIFYING 
INFORMATION'' in the first paragraph of your comment. You must also 
place all of the personal identifying information you do not want made 
publicly available in the first paragraph of your comment and identify 
what information you want redacted.
    If you want to submit confidential business information as part of 
your comment, but do not want it to be made publicly available, you 
must include the phrase ``CONFIDENTIAL BUSINESS INFORMATION'' in the 
first paragraph of your comment. You must also prominently identify 
confidential business information to be redacted within the comment.
    Comments containing personal identifying information and 
confidential business information identified as directed above will 
generally be made publicly available in redacted form. If a comment has 
so much confidential business information or personal identifying 
information that it cannot be effectively redacted, all or part of that 
comment may not be made publicly available. Comments posted to http://www.regulations.gov may include any personal identifying information 
(such as name, address, and phone number) included in the text of your 
electronic submission that is not identified as directed above as 
confidential.
    An electronic copy of this document and supplemental information to 
this proposed rule are available at http://www.regulations.gov for easy 
reference.

Request for Hearing, Notice of Appearance at Hearing, Waiver of an 
Opportunity for a Hearing or To Participate in a Hearing

    Pursuant to 21 U.S.C. 811(a), this action is a formal rulemaking 
``on the record after opportunity for a hearing.'' Such proceedings are 
conducted pursuant to the provisions of the Administrative Procedure 
Act (APA), 5 U.S.C. 551-559. 21 CFR 1308.41-1308.45; 21 CFR part 1316, 
subpart D. In accordance with 21 CFR 1308.44(a)-(c), requests for 
hearing, notices of appearance, and waivers of an opportunity for a 
hearing or to participate in a hearing may be submitted only by 
interested persons, defined as those ``adversely affected or aggrieved 
by any rule or proposed rule

[[Page 70651]]

issuable pursuant to section 201 of the Act (21 U.S.C. 811).'' 21 CFR 
1300.01. Such requests or notices must conform to the requirements of 
21 CFR 1308.44(a) or (b), and 1316.47 or 1316.48, as applicable, and 
include a statement of interest of the person in the proceeding and the 
objections or issues, if any, concerning which the person desires to be 
heard. Any waiver must conform to the requirements of 21 CFR 1308.44(c) 
and may include a written statement regarding the interested person's 
position on the matters of fact and law involved in any hearing.
    Please note that pursuant to 21 U.S.C. 811(a), the purpose and 
subject matter of a hearing is restricted to: ``(A) find[ing] that such 
drug or other substance has a potential for abuse, and (B) mak[ing] 
with respect to such drug or other substance the findings prescribed by 
subsection (b) of section 812 of this title for the schedule in which 
such drug is to be placed. . . .'' All requests for hearing and waivers 
of participation must be sent to the DEA using the address information 
provided above.

Legal Authority

    The DEA implements and enforces Titles II and III of the 
Comprehensive Drug Abuse Prevention and Control Act of 1970, as 
amended. 21 U.S.C. 801-971. Titles II and III are referred to as the 
``Controlled Substances Act'' and the ``Controlled Substances Import 
and Export Act,'' respectively, and are collectively referred to as the 
``Controlled Substances Act'' or the ``CSA'' for the purposes of this 
action. 21 U.S.C. 801-971. The DEA publishes the implementing 
regulations for these statutes in title 21 of the Code of Federal 
Regulations (CFR), chapter II. The CSA and its implementing regulations 
are designed to prevent, detect, and eliminate the diversion of 
controlled substances and listed chemicals into the illicit market 
while providing for the legitimate medical, scientific, research, and 
industrial needs of the United States. Controlled substances have the 
potential for abuse and dependence and are controlled to protect the 
public health and safety.
    Under the CSA, each controlled substance is classified into one of 
five schedules based upon its potential for abuse, its currently 
accepted medical use in treatment in the United States, and the degree 
of dependence the substance may cause. 21 U.S.C. 812. The initial 
schedules of controlled substances established by Congress are found at 
21 U.S.C. 812(c) and the current list of scheduled substances is 
published at 21 CFR part 1308.
    Pursuant to 21 U.S.C. 811(a)(1), the Attorney General may, by rule, 
``add to such a schedule or transfer between such schedules any drug or 
other substance if he (A) finds that such drug or other substance has a 
potential for abuse, and (B) makes with respect to such drug or other 
substance the findings prescribed by subsection (b) of section 812 of 
this title for the schedule in which such drug is to be placed. . . .'' 
The Attorney General has delegated scheduling authority under 21 U.S.C. 
811 to the Administrator of the DEA. 28 CFR 0.100.
    The CSA provides that proceedings for the issuance, amendment, or 
repeal of the scheduling of any drug or other substance may be 
initiated by the Attorney General (1) on her own motion; (2) at the 
request of the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services 
(HHS),\1\ or (3) on the petition of any interested party. 21 U.S.C. 
811(a). This proposed action is supported by a recommendation from the 
Assistant Secretary of the HHS and an evaluation of all other relevant 
data by the DEA. If finalized, this action would impose the regulatory 
controls and administrative, civil, and criminal sanctions of schedule 
I controlled substances on any person who handles, or proposes to 
handle, 25I-NBOMe, 25C-NBOMe, or 25B-NBOMe.
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    \1\ As discussed in a memorandum of understanding entered into 
by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the National Institute 
on Drug Abuse (NIDA), the FDA acts as the lead agency within the HHS 
in carrying out the Secretary's scheduling responsibilities under 
the CSA, with the concurrence of NIDA. 50 FR 9518, Mar. 8, 1985. The 
Secretary of the HHS has delegated to the Assistant Secretary for 
Health of the HHS the authority to make domestic drug scheduling 
recommendations. 58 FR 35460, July 1, 1993.
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Background

    On November 15, 2013, the DEA published a final order in the 
Federal Register amending 21 CFR 1308.11(h) to temporarily place 2-(4-
iodo-2,5-dimethoxyphenyl)-N-(2-methoxybenzyl)ethanamine (25I-NBOMe), 2-
(4-chloro-2,5-dimethoxyphenyl)-N-(2-methoxybenzyl)ethanamine (25C-
NBOMe), and 2-(4-bromo-2,5-dimethoxyphenyl)-N-(2-
methoxybenzyl)ethanamine (25B-NBOMe) into schedule I of the CSA 
pursuant to the temporary scheduling provisions of 21 U.S.C. 811(h). 78 
FR 68716. That final order, which became effective on the date of 
publication, was based on findings by the Deputy Administrator of the 
DEA that the temporary scheduling of these three synthetic 
phenethylamine substances was necessary to avoid an imminent hazard to 
public safety pursuant to 21 U.S.C. 811(h)(1). At the time the final 
order took effect, section 201(h)(2) of the CSA, 21 U.S.C. 811(h)(2), 
required that the temporary scheduling of a substance expire at the end 
of two years from the date of issuance of the scheduling order, and it 
provided that, during the pendency of proceedings under 21 U.S.C. 
811(a)(1) with respect to the substance, temporary scheduling of that 
substance could be extended for up to 1 year. Pursuant to 21 U.S.C. 
811(h)(2), the temporary scheduling of 25I-NBOMe, 25C-NBOMe, and 25B-
NBOMe expires on November 14, 2015, unless extended. An extension of 
the temporary order is being ordered by the DEA Administrator in a 
separate action.
    As described in the final order published on November 15, 2013, 
25I-NBOMe, 25C-NBOMe, and 25B-NBOMe are structurally and 
pharmacologically similar to 2,5-dimethoxy-4-iodophenethylamine (2C-I), 
2,5-dimethoxy-4-chlorophenethylamine (2C-C), and 2,5-dimethoxy-4-
bromophenthylamine (2C-B). While 25I-NBOMe, 25C-NBOMe, and 25B-NBOMe 
have been used as research chemicals and/or studied due to their misuse 
and abuse, based on the review of the scientific literature, there are 
no known medical uses for 25I-NBOMe, 25C-NBOMe, or 25B-NBOMe. The 
Assistant Secretary of Health for the U.S. Department of Health and 
Human Services (HHS) has advised that there are no exemptions or 
approvals in effect for 25I-NBOMe, 25C-NBOMe, or 25B-NBOMe under 
section 505 of the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act, 21 U.S.C. 355. 
As stated by the HHS, 25I-NBOMe, 25C-NBOMe, and 25B-NBOMe have no known 
accepted medical use. They are not the subject of any approved new drug 
applications (NDAs) or investigational new drug applications (INDs), 
and are not currently marketed as approved drug products.

Proposed Determination to Schedule 25I-NBOMe, 25C-NBOMe, or 25B-NBOMe

    Pursuant to 21 U.S.C. 811(a)(1), proceedings to add a drug or 
substance to those controlled under the CSA may be initiated by the 
Attorney General, or her delegate, the DEA Administrator. On July 23, 
2014, the DEA requested a scientific and medical evaluation and 
scheduling recommendations from the Assistant Secretary of Health for 
the HHS for 25I-NBOMe, 25C-NBOMe, and 25B-NBOMe pursuant to 21 U.S.C. 
811(b). Upon receipt of the scientific and medical evaluation and 
scheduling recommendations from the HHS dated

[[Page 70652]]

August 12, 2015, the DEA reviewed the documents and all other relevant 
data, and conducted its own eight-factor analysis of the abuse 
potential of 25I-NBOMe, 25C-NBOMe, and 25B-NBOMe pursuant to 21 U.S.C. 
811(c).
    Included below is a brief summary of each of the eight factors as 
analyzed by the HHS and the DEA, and as considered by the DEA in this 
proposed action. Please note that both the DEA and the HHS analyses are 
available under ``Supporting Documents'' of the public docket for this 
proposed rule at http://www.regulations.gov under docket number DEA-
423.
    1. The Drug's Actual or Relative Potential for Abuse: As described 
by the HHS, the abuse potentials of 25I-NBOMe, 25C-NBOMe, and 25B-NBOMe 
are associated with their abilities to produce psychoactive effects 
that are similar to those produced by other schedule I hallucinogens 
that have a high potential for abuse such as 2,5-dimethoxy-4-
methylamphetamine (DOM), 2,5-dimethoxy-4-iodophenethylamine (2C-I), 
2,5-dimethoxy-4-chlorophenethylamine (2C-C), 2,5-dimethoxy-4-
bromophenthylamine (2C-B), and lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD).
    The legislative history of the CSA suggests the DEA consider the 
following factors when determining whether a particular drug or 
substance has a potential for abuse: \2\
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    \2\ Comprehensive Drug Abuse Prevention and Control Act of 1970, 
H.R. Rep. No. 91-1444, 91st Cong., Sess. 2 (1970); reprinted in 1970 
U.S.C.C.A.N. 4566, 4601.
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    (1) There is evidence that individuals are taking the drug or drugs 
containing such a substance in amounts sufficient to create a hazard to 
their health or to the safety of other individuals or of the community;
    (2) There is significant diversion of the drug or drugs containing 
such a substance from legitimate drug channels;
    (3) Individuals are taking the drug or drugs containing such a 
substance on their own initiative rather than on the basis of medical 
advice from a practitioner licensed by law to administer such drugs in 
the course of his professional practice; or
    (4) The drug or drugs containing such a substance are new drugs so 
related in their action to a drug or drugs already listed as having a 
potential for abuse to make it likely that the drug will have the same 
potentiality for abuse as such drugs, thus making it reasonable to 
assume that there may be significant diversions from legitimate 
channels, significant use contrary to or without medical advice, or 
that it has a substantial capability of creating hazards to the health 
of the user or to the safety of the community.
    The substances 25I-NBOMe, 25C-NBOMe, and 25B-NBOMe have no approved 
medical uses in the United States and they have been encountered on the 
illicit market with adverse outcomes on the public health and safety. 
Human use of these substances is due to the individual's own initiative 
and it has been established that they are being abused for their 
psychoactive properties. For these reasons, there are no legitimate 
drug channels for NBOMEs as marketed drugs and these substances should 
be limited to scientific research. Reports from public health and law 
enforcement communicate that these substances are being abused and 
taken in amounts sufficient to create a hazard to one's own health as 
evidenced by the emergency department admissions and deaths and this 
misuse is also a significant safety issue for those in the community. 
Data from forensic databases are used as indicators of illicit activity 
with drugs and abuse \3\ within the United States and include the 
System to Retrieve Information from Drug Evidence (STRIDE),\4\ 
STARLiMS, and the National Forensic Laboratory Information System 
(NFLIS).\5\ From January 2011 through August 2015 (query dates: 
September 22 & 23, 2015), STRIDE, STARLiMS, and NFLIS databases 
registered a total of 4,868 reports containing the three NBOMes (25I-
NBOMe--2,714 reports; 25C-NBOMe--1,291 reports; 25B-NBOMe--863 
reports). These drug reports represent NBOMe data reported to these 
databases by participating DEA, Customs and Border Protection (CBP), 
state, and local/municipal forensic laboratories in the United States. 
25I-NBOMe, 25C-NBOMe, and 25B-NBOMe have been reported to produce 
hallucinogenic effects. There have been numerous anecdotal self-reports 
substantiating that 25I-NBOMe, 25C-NBOMe, and/or 25B-NBOMe and their 
products are abused by humans for their hallucinogenic effects, as well 
as published reports indicating an increase in the abuse of these 
substances. These reports of abuse are in agreement with the large 
number of encounters of these substances by law enforcement.
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    \3\ While law enforcement data is not direct evidence of abuse, 
it can lead to an inference that a drug has been diverted and 
abused. See 76 FR 77330, 77332, Dec. 12, 2011.
    \4\ STRIDE was a database that collected analyses of results 
from drug evidence sent to DEA laboratories. Evidence was submitted 
by the DEA, other Federal agencies, and select local law enforcement 
agencies. On October 1, 2014, STARLiMS replaced STRIDE as the DEA 
system of record for forensic laboratory drug evidence data.
    \5\ NFLIS is a DEA program and a national forensic laboratory 
reporting system that systematically collects results from drug 
chemistry analyses conducted by state and local forensic 
laboratories in the United States. The NFLIS database also contains 
Federal data from CBP. NFLIS includes drug chemistry results from 
completed analyses only.
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    2. Scientific Evidence of the Drug's Pharmacological Effects, If 
Known: Studies show that 25I-NBOMe, 25C-NBOMe, and 25B-NBOMe are full 
agonists at the 5-HT2A serotonin receptor based on the 
receptor binding and functional activity profiles in in vitro studies. 
In vivo experimental animal studies have reported that 25I-NBOMe and 
25B-NBOMe significantly increase the head twitch response, a response 
associated with hallucinogens that act on the 5-HT2A 
serotonin receptor. In addition, 25I-NBOMe was more potent than the 
schedule I hallucinogen 2C-I, and 25B-NBOMe was more potent than the 
hallucinogen DOI in eliciting the head twitch response.
    According to the HHS, there are no reported human clinical trials 
with 25I-NBOMe, 25C-NBOMe, or 25B-NBOMe but there is evidence that 
these substances are abused for their hallucinogenic effects. Clinical 
case reports indicate that 25I-NBOMe, 25C-NBOMe, and 25B-NBOMe produce 
a number of stimulant-like adverse effects. According to the HHS, 
adverse health effects associated with products containing synthetic 
phenethylamines include: Hallucinations (open and closed eye visuals), 
nausea, excessive sweating, tachycardia, psychomotor agitation, 
prolonged seizures, rhabdomyolysis, and renal failure.
    3. The State of Current Scientific Knowledge Regarding the Drug or 
Other Substance: 25I-NBOMe, 25C-NBOMe and 25B-NBOMe are classified as 
2C compounds, a structural class with a phenethylamine core substituted 
with methoxy groups on the 2 and 5 positions of the phenyl ring. 25I-
NBOMe, 25C-NBOMe, and 25B-NBOMe are structurally similar to the 2C-X 
compounds (2C-I, 2C-C, and 2C-B, respectively) which are controlled as 
schedule I hallucinogenic substances under the CSA. Data indicate that 
25I-NBOMe, 25C-NBOMe, and 25B-NBOMe are rapidly distributed from the 
blood into the brain, liver, and bile. Studies examining elimination of 
NBOMes have reported that 90% of the parent compound is eliminated from 
the plasma within 90 minutes and urine samples suggest that the 
corresponding 2C compounds (i.e., 2C-I, 2C-C, and 2C-B) may be 
metabolites of the NBOMes. According to the HHS, 25I-NBOMe,

[[Page 70653]]

25C-NBOMe and 25B-NBOMe are not U.S. Food and Drug Administration 
(FDA)-approved drug products. The DEA is not aware of any currently 
accepted medical use or NDAs for 25I-NBOMe, 25C-NBOMe, or 25B-NBOMe. 
Furthermore, the Assistant Secretary of the HHS responded that there 
were no current INDs or NDAs for these synthetic phenethylamines in the 
scientific and medical evaluations and recommendations addressed to the 
DEA Deputy Administrator dated August 12, 2015.
    4. Its History and Current Pattern of Abuse: Law enforcement has 
encountered 25I-NBOMe, 25C-NBOMe, and 25B-NBOMe in the illicit drug 
market. These synthetic substances are available over the Internet and 
sold through illicit channels, often purported to be schedule I 
hallucinogens, like LSD. Market names for products found to contain 
NBOMe include, but are not limited to: ``Smiles,'' ``N-bomb,'' ``Cimbi-
5,'' ``25I,'' and others. 25I-NBOMe, 25C-NBOMe, and 25B-NBOMe have been 
seized as powders, as solutions, on blotter paper, and laced on food 
items. According to the HHS, 25I-NBOMe, 25C-NBOMe, and 25B-NBOMe are 
abused in the same manner as schedule I hallucinogens such as LSD, DOM, 
2C-I, 2C-B, and 2C-C. Furthermore, evidence indicates that youth appear 
to be the primary abusers of these synthetic substances.
    5. The Scope, Duration, and Significance of Abuse: Evidence from 
law enforcement indicates that the abuse of 25I-NBOMe, 25C-NBOMe, and 
25B-NBOMe is widespread. Law enforcement databases registered a total 
of 4,868 drug reports involving 25I-NBOMe, 25C-NBOMe, or 25B-NBOMe 
(query date: September 22 & 23, 2015) spanning a time period from 
January 2011 through August 2015. Law enforcement encounters of 25I-
NBOMe, 25C-NBOMe, or 25B-NBOMe have occurred in at least 43 states and 
the District of Columbia. As stated by the HHS, based on the 
pharmacological properties of the substances, it is reasonable to 
assume that, if uncontrolled, the scope, duration, and significance of 
25I-NBOMe, 25C-NBOMe, or 25B-NBOMe abuse could be similar to that of 
LSD. Concerns over the abuse of 25I-NBOMe, 25C-NBOMe, or 25B-NBOMe have 
prompted state, military, and international control of these 
substances.
    6. What, if Any, Risk There is to the Public Health: Law 
enforcement, medical community representatives, and public health 
officials have reported exposure incidents that demonstrate the dangers 
associated with the abuse of 25I-NBOMe, 25C-NBOMe, and 25B-NBOMe to 
individual abusers as well as to the public. Furthermore, the HHS 
stated that the NBOMe series of drugs have much narrower 
``therapeutic'' ratios and much smaller margins of safety than most 
other known hallucinogens, and so carry greater risk of acute toxicity 
and death.
    There have been numerous reports of deaths associated with the 
abuse of 25I-NBOMe, 25C-NBOMe, and 25B-NBOMe. Published case reports 
have also described deaths associated with the ingestion of the NBOMe 
substances. As of October 2013, the DEA has obtained medical examiner 
and postmortem toxicology reports implicating some combination of 25I-
NBOMe, 25C-NBOMe, and 25B-NBOMe in the death of 17 individuals. The 
average age of these individuals is 20 years (range 15 to 29 years). 
The circumstances surrounding the deaths include acute toxicity (14) or 
unpredictable, violent behavior due to 25I-NBOMe toxicity ultimately 
leading to death (3). As detailed above, there are reported instances 
of emergency department admissions and deaths associated with the abuse 
of these synthetic substances. There is no accepted medical use of 
these substances in the United States.
    7. Its Psychic or Physiological Dependence Liability: According to 
the HHS, the pharmacologic profiles of 25I-NBOMe, 25C-NBOMe, and 25B-
NBOMe strongly suggest that they possess physiological and 
psychological dependence liability that is similar to that of schedule 
I hallucinogens such as LSD, 2C-I, 2C-C, 2C-B, and DOM, although there 
are no studies or case reports that document the psychic or 
physiological dependence potential of these substances. However, based 
on the structural similarity between the NBOMes (25I-NBOMe, 25C-NBOMe, 
and 25B-NBOMe) and other schedule I hallucinogens (2C-I, 2C-B, 2C-C) 
and the similarity in pharmacological actions and resulting effects in 
the hallucinogen drug class (e.g. LSD, psilocybin), it is expected that 
the NBOMes will share a similar psychic and psychological dependence 
liability.
    8. Whether the Substance is an Immediate Precursor of a Substance 
Already Controlled Under the CSA: 25I-NBOMe, 25C-NBOMe, and 25B-NBOMe 
are not considered immediate precursors of any controlled substance of 
the CSA as defined by 21 U.S.C 802(23).
    Conclusion: Based on consideration of the scientific and medical 
evaluations and accompanying recommendation of the HHS, and based on 
the DEA's considerations of its own eight-factor analysis, the DEA 
finds that these facts and all other relevant data constitute 
substantial evidence of the potential for abuse of 25I-NBOMe, 25C-
NBOMe, and 25B-NBOMe. As such, the DEA hereby proposes to schedule 25I-
NBOMe, 25C-NBOMe, and 25B-NBOMe as controlled substances under the CSA.

Proposed Determination of Appropriate Schedule

    The CSA establishes five schedules of controlled substances known 
as schedules I, II, III, IV, and V. The CSA also outlines the findings 
required to place a drug or other substance in any particular schedule. 
21 U.S.C. 812(b). After consideration of the analysis and 
recommendation of the Assistant Secretary for HHS and review of all 
other available data, the Administrator of the DEA, pursuant to 21 
U.S.C. 811(a) and 21 U.S.C. 812(b)(1), finds that:
    (1) 25I-NBOMe, 25C-NBOMe, and 25B-NBOMe have a high potential for 
abuse that is comparable to other schedule I substances such as 2C-I, 
2C-C, 2C-B, LSD and DOM;
    (2) 25I-NBOMe, 25C-NBOMe, and 25B-NBOMe have no currently accepted 
medical use in treatment in the United States; and
    (3) There is a lack of accepted safety for use of 25I-NBOMe, 25C-
NBOMe, or 25B-NBOMe under medical supervision.
    Based on these findings, the Administrator of the DEA concludes 
that 2-(4-iodo-2,5-dimethoxyphenyl)-N-(2-methoxybenzyl)ethanamine (25I-
NBOMe; 2C-I-NBOMe; 25I; Cimbi-5), 2-(4-chloro-2,5-dimethoxyphenyl)-N-
(2-methoxybenzyl)ethanamine (25C-NBOMe; 2C-C-NBOMe; 25C; Cimbi-82) and 
2-(4-bromo-2,5-dimethoxyphenyl)-N-(2-methoxybenzyl)ethanamine (25B-
NBOMe; 2C-B-NBOMe; 25B; Cimbi-36), including their salts, isomers and 
salts of isomers, whenever the existence of such salts, isomers, and 
salts of isomers is possible, warrant control in schedule I of the CSA. 
21 U.S.C. 812(b)(1).

Requirements for Handling 25I-NBOMe, 25C-NBOMe, or 25B-NBOMe

    If this rule is finalized as proposed, persons who handle 25I-
NBOMe, 25C-NBOMe, or 25B-NBOMe would continue \6\ to be subject to the 
regulatory controls and administrative, civil, and criminal sanctions 
applicable to the manufacture, distribution, possession, importing, and 
exporting of schedule I controlled substances, including those listed 
below:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \6\ 25I-NBOMe, 25C-NBOMe, and 25B-NBOMe are currently subject to 
schedule I controls on a temporary basis, pursuant to 21 U.S.C. 
811(h). 78 FR 68716.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

[[Page 70654]]

    1. Registration. Any person who handles (manufactures, distributes, 
imports, exports, engages in research, or conducts instructional 
activities or chemical analysis with, or possesses) 25I-NBOMe, 25C-
NBOMe, or 25B-NBOMe, or who desires to handle 25I-NBOMe, 25C-NBOMe, or 
25B-NBOMe would be required to be registered with the DEA to conduct 
such activities pursuant to 21 U.S.C. 822, 823, 957, and 958, and in 
accordance with 21 CFR parts 1301 and 1312.
    2. Security. 25I-NBOMe, 25C-NBOMe, and 25B-NBOMe would be subject 
to schedule I security requirements and would need to be handled and 
stored pursuant to 21 U.S.C. 821, 823, and 871(b), and in accordance 
with 21 CFR 1301.71-1301.93.
    3. Labeling and Packaging. All labels, labeling, and packaging for 
commercial containers of 25I-NBOMe, 25C-NBOMe, or 25B-NBOMe would need 
to be in compliance with 21 U.S.C. 825 and 958(e), and be in accordance 
with 21 CFR part 1302.
    4. Quota. Only registered manufacturers would be permitted to 
manufacture 25I-NBOMe, 25C-NBOMe, or 25B-NBOMe in accordance with a 
quota assigned pursuant to 21 U.S.C. 826 and in accordance with 21 CFR 
part 1303.
    5. Inventory. Any person who becomes registered with the DEA on or 
after the effective date of the final rule must take an initial 
inventory of all stocks of controlled substances (including NBOMes) on 
hand on the date the registrant first engages in the handling of 
controlled substances pursuant to 21 U.S.C. 827 and 958, and in 
accordance with 21 CFR 1304.03, 1304.04, and 1304.11.
    After the initial inventory, every DEA registrant must take a new 
inventory of all stocks of controlled substances (including NBOMes) on 
hand every two years pursuant to 21 U.S.C. 827 and 958, and in 
accordance with 21 CFR 1304.03, 1304.04, and 1304.11.
    6. Records and Reports. Every DEA registrant would be required to 
maintain records and submit reports with respect to 25I-NBOMe, 25C-
NBOMe, and/or 25B-NBOMe pursuant to 21 U.S.C. 827 and 958, and in 
accordance with 21 CFR parts 1304 and 1312.
    7. Order Forms. Every DEA registrant who distributes 25I-NBOMe, 
25C-NBOMe, or 25B-NBOMe would be required to comply with the order form 
requirements, pursuant to 21 U.S.C. 828, and 21 CFR part 1305.
    8. Importation and Exportation. All importation and exportation of 
25I-NBOMe, 25C-NBOMe, and 25B-NBOMe would need to be in compliance with 
21 U.S.C. 952, 953, 957, and 958, and in accordance with 21 CFR part 
1312.
    9. Liability. Any activity involving 25I-NBOMe, 25C-NBOMe, or 25B-
NBOMe not authorized by, or in violation of, the CSA or its 
implementing regulations would be unlawful, and could subject the 
person to administrative, civil, and/or criminal sanctions.

Regulatory Analyses

Executive Orders 12866 and 13563

    In accordance with 21 U.S.C. 811(a), this proposed scheduling 
action is subject to formal rulemaking procedures done ``on the record 
after opportunity for a hearing,'' which are conducted pursuant to the 
provisions of 5 U.S.C. 556 and 557. The CSA sets forth the criteria for 
scheduling a drug or other substance. Such actions are exempt from 
review by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) pursuant to section 
3(d)(1) of Executive Order 12866 and the principles reaffirmed in 
Executive Order 13563.

Executive Order 12988

    This proposed regulation meets the applicable standards set forth 
in sections 3(a) and 3(b)(2) of Executive Order 12988 to eliminate 
drafting errors and ambiguity, minimize litigation, provide a clear 
legal standard for affected conduct, and promote simplification and 
burden reduction.

Executive Order 13132

    This proposed rulemaking does not have federalism implications 
warranting the application of Executive Order 13132. The proposed rule 
does not have substantial direct effects on the States, on the 
relationship between the national government and the States, or the 
distribution of power and responsibilities among the various levels of 
government.

Executive Order 13175

    This proposed rule does not have tribal implications warranting the 
application of Executive Order 13175. It does not have substantial 
direct effects on one or more Indian tribes, on the relationship 
between the Federal Government and Indian tribes, or on the 
distribution of power and responsibilities between the Federal 
Government and Indian tribes.

Regulatory Flexibility Act

    The Administrator, in accordance with the Regulatory Flexibility 
Act (RFA), 5 U.S.C. 601-602, has reviewed this proposed rule and by 
approving it, certifies that it will not have a significant economic 
impact on a substantial number of small entities. On November 15, 2013, 
the DEA published a final order to temporarily place these three 
synthetic phenethylamines into schedule I of the CSA pursuant to the 
temporary scheduling provisions of 21 U.S.C. 811(h). The DEA estimates 
that all entities handling or planning to handle 25I-NBOMe, 25C-NBOMe, 
or 25B-NBOMe are currently registered to handle these substances. There 
are currently 18 registrations authorized to handle 25I-NBOMe, 25C-
NBOMe, or 25B-NBOMe, as well as a number of registered analytical labs 
that are authorized to handle schedule I controlled substances 
generally. These 18 registrations represent 13 entities, of which 6 are 
small entities. Therefore, the DEA estimates six small entities are 
affected by this proposed rule.
    A review of the 18 registrations indicates that all entities that 
currently handle 25I-NBOMe, 25C-NBOMe, or 25B-NBOMe handle other 
schedule I controlled substances, and have established and implemented 
(or currently maintain) the systems and processes required to handle 
25I-NBOMe, 25C-NBOMe, or 25B-NBOMe. Therefore, the DEA anticipates that 
this proposed rule will impose minimal or no economic impact on any 
affected entities; and thus, will not have a significant economic 
impact on any of the six affected small entities. Therefore, the DEA 
has concluded that this proposed rule will not have a significant 
effect on a substantial number of small entities.

Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995

    On the basis of information contained in the ``Regulatory 
Flexibility Act'' section above, the DEA has determined and certifies 
pursuant to the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act (UMRA) of 1995, 2 U.S.C. 
1501 et seq., that this action would not result in any Federal mandate 
that may result in the expenditure by State, local, and tribal 
governments, in the aggregate, or by the private sector, of 
$100,000,000 or more (adjusted for inflation) in any one year. 
Therefore, neither a Small Government Agency Plan nor any other action 
is required under provisions of the UMRA of 1995.

Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995

    This action does not impose a new collection of information under 
the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. 44 U.S.C. 3501-3521. This action 
would not impose recordkeeping or reporting requirements on State or 
local governments, individuals, businesses, or organizations. An agency 
may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not

[[Page 70655]]

required to respond to, a collection of information unless it displays 
a currently valid OMB control number.

List of Subjects in 21 CFR Part 1308

    Administrative practice and procedure, Drug traffic control, 
Reporting and recordkeeping requirements.

    For the reasons set out above, 21 CFR part 1308 is proposed to be 
amended as follows:

PART 1308--SCHEDULES OF CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES

0
1. The authority citation for 21 CFR part 1308 continues to read as 
follows:

     Authority:  21 U.S.C. 811, 812, 871(b), unless otherwise noted.

0
2. In Sec.  1308.11:
0
a. Add paragraphs (d)(48) through (50);
0
b. Remove paragraphs (h)(4), (5), and (6); and
0
c. Redesignate paragraphs (h)(7) through (24) as (h)(4) through (21).
    The additions read as follows:


Sec.  1308.11  Schedule I.

* * * * *
    (d) * * *

(48) 2-(4-iodo-2,5-dimethoxy-phenyl)-N-(2-                        (7538)
 methoxybenzyl)ethanamine (25I-NBOMe or 2C-I-NBOMe)............
(49) 2-(4-chloro-2,5-dimethoxy-phenyl)-N-(2-                      (7537)
 methoxybenzyl)ethanamine (25C-NBOMe or 2C-C-NBOMe)............
(50) 2-(4-bromo-2,5-dimethoxy-phenyl)-N-(2-                       (7536)
 methoxybenzyl)ethanamine (25B-NBOMe or 2C-B-NBOMe)............
 

* * * * *

    Dated: November 10, 2015.
Chuck Rosenberg,
Acting Administrator.
[FR Doc. 2015-29026 Filed 11-12-15; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4410-09-P



                                                 70650                 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 219 / Friday, November 13, 2015 / Proposed Rules

                                                 DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE                                   received on or before December 14,                    information (such as your name,
                                                                                                         2015.                                                 address, etc.) voluntarily submitted by
                                                 Drug Enforcement Administration                         ADDRESSES: To ensure proper handling                  the commenter. The Freedom of
                                                                                                         of comments, please reference ‘‘Docket                Information Act (FOIA) applies to all
                                                 21 CFR Part 1308                                        No. DEA–423’’ on all correspondence,                  comments received. If you want to
                                                                                                         including any attachments.                            submit personal identifying information
                                                 [Docket No. DEA–423]                                                                                          (such as your name, address, etc.) as
                                                                                                           • Electronic comments: The Drug
                                                                                                         Enforcement Administration encourages                 part of your comment, but do not want
                                                 Schedules of Controlled Substances:                                                                           it to be made publicly available, you
                                                 Placement of Three Synthetic                            that all comments be submitted
                                                                                                         electronically through the Federal                    must include the phrase ‘‘PERSONAL
                                                 Phenethylamines Into Schedule I                                                                               IDENTIFYING INFORMATION’’ in the
                                                                                                         eRulemaking Portal, which provides the
                                                 AGENCY: Drug Enforcement                                ability to type short comments directly               first paragraph of your comment. You
                                                 Administration, Department of Justice.                  into the comment field on the Web page                must also place all of the personal
                                                 ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking.                  or to attach a file for lengthier                     identifying information you do not want
                                                                                                         comments. Please go to http://                        made publicly available in the first
                                                 SUMMARY:    The Drug Enforcement                        www.regulations.gov and follow the                    paragraph of your comment and identify
                                                 Administration proposes placing three                   online instructions at that site for                  what information you want redacted.
                                                 synthetic phenethylamines: 2-(4-iodo-                                                                            If you want to submit confidential
                                                                                                         submitting comments. Upon completion
                                                 2,5-dimethoxyphenyl)-N-(2-                                                                                    business information as part of your
                                                                                                         of your submission you will receive a
                                                 methoxybenzyl)ethanamine (25I-                                                                                comment, but do not want it to be made
                                                                                                         Comment Tracking Number for your
                                                 NBOMe; 2C-I-NBOMe; 25I; Cimbi-5), 2-                                                                          publicly available, you must include the
                                                                                                         comment. Please be aware that
                                                 (4-chloro-2,5-dimethoxyphenyl)-N-(2-                                                                          phrase ‘‘CONFIDENTIAL BUSINESS
                                                                                                         submitted comments are not
                                                 methoxybenzyl)ethanamine (25C-                                                                                INFORMATION’’ in the first paragraph
                                                                                                         instantaneously available for public
                                                 NBOMe; 2C-C-NBOMe; 25C; Cimbi-82)                                                                             of your comment. You must also
                                                                                                         view on Regulations.gov. If you have                  prominently identify confidential
                                                 and 2-(4-bromo-2,5-dimethoxyphenyl)-                    received a Comment Tracking Number,
                                                 N-(2-methoxybenzyl)ethanamine (25B-                                                                           business information to be redacted
                                                                                                         your comment has been successfully                    within the comment.
                                                 NBOMe; 2C-B-NBOMe; 25B; Cimbi-36)                       submitted and there is no need to
                                                 into schedule I of the Controlled                                                                                Comments containing personal
                                                                                                         resubmit the same comment.                            identifying information and confidential
                                                 Substances Act. This proposed                             • Paper comments: Paper comments                    business information identified as
                                                 scheduling action is pursuant to the                    that duplicate the electronic submission
                                                 Controlled Substance Act which                                                                                directed above will generally be made
                                                                                                         are not necessary and are discouraged.                publicly available in redacted form. If a
                                                 requires that such actions be made on                   Should you wish to mail a paper                       comment has so much confidential
                                                 the record after opportunity for a                      comment in lieu of an electronic                      business information or personal
                                                 hearing through formal rulemaking. If                   comment, it should be sent via regular                identifying information that it cannot be
                                                 finalized, this action would impose the                 or express mail to: Drug Enforcement                  effectively redacted, all or part of that
                                                 regulatory controls and administrative,                 Administration, Attn: DEA Federal                     comment may not be made publicly
                                                 civil, and criminal sanctions applicable                Register Representative/ODL, 8701                     available. Comments posted to http://
                                                 to schedule I controlled substances on                  Morrissette Drive, Springfield, Virginia              www.regulations.gov may include any
                                                 persons who handle (manufacture,                        22152.                                                personal identifying information (such
                                                 distribute, import, export, engage in                     • Hearing requests: All requests for                as name, address, and phone number)
                                                 research, conduct instructional                         hearing and waivers of participation                  included in the text of your electronic
                                                 activities or chemical analysis, or                     must be sent to: Drug Enforcement                     submission that is not identified as
                                                 possess), or propose to handle 25I-                     Administration, Attn: Administrator,                  directed above as confidential.
                                                 NBOMe, 25C-NBOMe, or 25B-NBOMe.                         8701 Morrissette Drive, Springfield,                     An electronic copy of this document
                                                 DATES: Interested persons may file                      Virginia 22152. All requests for hearing              and supplemental information to this
                                                 written comments on this proposal in                    and waivers of participation should also              proposed rule are available at http://
                                                 accordance with 21 CFR 1308.43(g).                      be sent to: Drug Enforcement                          www.regulations.gov for easy reference.
                                                 Electronic comments must be                             Administration, Attn: Hearing Clerk/LJ,
                                                 submitted, and written comments must                    8701 Morrissette Drive, Springfield,                  Request for Hearing, Notice of
                                                 be postmarked, on or before December                    Virginia 22152.                                       Appearance at Hearing, Waiver of an
                                                 14, 2015. Commenters should be aware                    FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: John                 Opportunity for a Hearing or To
                                                 that the electronic Federal Docket                      R. Scherbenske, Office of Diversion                   Participate in a Hearing
                                                 Management System will not accept                       Control, Drug Enforcement                                Pursuant to 21 U.S.C. 811(a), this
                                                 comments after 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time                  Administration; Mailing Address: 8701                 action is a formal rulemaking ‘‘on the
                                                 on the last day of the comment period.                  Morrissette Drive, Springfield, Virginia              record after opportunity for a hearing.’’
                                                    Interested persons, defined at 21 CFR                22152; Telephone: (202) 598–6812.                     Such proceedings are conducted
                                                 1300.01 as those ‘‘adversely affected or                SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:                            pursuant to the provisions of the
                                                 aggrieved by any rule or proposed rule                                                                        Administrative Procedure Act (APA), 5
                                                 issuable pursuant to section 201 of the                 Posting of Public Comments                            U.S.C. 551–559. 21 CFR 1308.41–
                                                 Act (21 U.S.C. 811),’’ may file a request                 Please note that all comments                       1308.45; 21 CFR part 1316, subpart D.
tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS3




                                                 for hearing, notice of appearance, or                   received are considered part of the                   In accordance with 21 CFR 1308.44(a)–
                                                 waiver of hearing pursuant to 21 CFR                    public record. They will, unless                      (c), requests for hearing, notices of
                                                 1308.44 and in accordance with 21 CFR                   reasonable cause is given, be made                    appearance, and waivers of an
                                                 1316.45, 1316.47, and/or 1316.48, as                    available by the Drug Enforcement                     opportunity for a hearing or to
                                                 applicable. Requests for hearing, notices               Administration (DEA) for public                       participate in a hearing may be
                                                 of appearance, and waivers of an                        inspection online at http://                          submitted only by interested persons,
                                                 opportunity for a hearing or to                         www.regulations.gov. Such information                 defined as those ‘‘adversely affected or
                                                 participate in a hearing must be                        includes personal identifying                         aggrieved by any rule or proposed rule


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                                                                       Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 219 / Friday, November 13, 2015 / Proposed Rules                                           70651

                                                 issuable pursuant to section 201 of the                    Pursuant to 21 U.S.C. 811(a)(1), the               hazard to public safety pursuant to 21
                                                 Act (21 U.S.C. 811).’’ 21 CFR 1300.01.                  Attorney General may, by rule, ‘‘add to               U.S.C. 811(h)(1). At the time the final
                                                 Such requests or notices must conform                   such a schedule or transfer between                   order took effect, section 201(h)(2) of the
                                                 to the requirements of 21 CFR                           such schedules any drug or other                      CSA, 21 U.S.C. 811(h)(2), required that
                                                 1308.44(a) or (b), and 1316.47 or                       substance if he (A) finds that such drug              the temporary scheduling of a substance
                                                 1316.48, as applicable, and include a                   or other substance has a potential for                expire at the end of two years from the
                                                 statement of interest of the person in the              abuse, and (B) makes with respect to                  date of issuance of the scheduling order,
                                                 proceeding and the objections or issues,                such drug or other substance the                      and it provided that, during the
                                                 if any, concerning which the person                     findings prescribed by subsection (b) of              pendency of proceedings under 21
                                                 desires to be heard. Any waiver must                    section 812 of this title for the schedule            U.S.C. 811(a)(1) with respect to the
                                                 conform to the requirements of 21 CFR                   in which such drug is to be                           substance, temporary scheduling of that
                                                 1308.44(c) and may include a written                    placed. . . .’’ The Attorney General has              substance could be extended for up to
                                                 statement regarding the interested                      delegated scheduling authority under 21               1 year. Pursuant to 21 U.S.C. 811(h)(2),
                                                 person’s position on the matters of fact                U.S.C. 811 to the Administrator of the                the temporary scheduling of 25I-
                                                 and law involved in any hearing.                        DEA. 28 CFR 0.100.                                    NBOMe, 25C-NBOMe, and 25B-NBOMe
                                                    Please note that pursuant to 21 U.S.C.                  The CSA provides that proceedings                  expires on November 14, 2015, unless
                                                 811(a), the purpose and subject matter                  for the issuance, amendment, or repeal                extended. An extension of the
                                                 of a hearing is restricted to: ‘‘(A)                    of the scheduling of any drug or other                temporary order is being ordered by the
                                                 find[ing] that such drug or other                       substance may be initiated by the                     DEA Administrator in a separate action.
                                                 substance has a potential for abuse, and                Attorney General (1) on her own                         As described in the final order
                                                 (B) mak[ing] with respect to such drug                  motion; (2) at the request of the                     published on November 15, 2013, 25I-
                                                 or other substance the findings                         Secretary of the Department of Health                 NBOMe, 25C-NBOMe, and 25B-NBOMe
                                                 prescribed by subsection (b) of section                 and Human Services (HHS),1 or (3) on                  are structurally and pharmacologically
                                                 812 of this title for the schedule in                   the petition of any interested party. 21              similar to 2,5-dimethoxy-4-
                                                 which such drug is to be placed. . . .’’                U.S.C. 811(a). This proposed action is                iodophenethylamine (2C-I), 2,5-
                                                 All requests for hearing and waivers of                 supported by a recommendation from                    dimethoxy-4-chlorophenethylamine
                                                 participation must be sent to the DEA                   the Assistant Secretary of the HHS and                (2C-C), and 2,5-dimethoxy-4-
                                                 using the address information provided                  an evaluation of all other relevant data              bromophenthylamine (2C-B). While 25I-
                                                 above.                                                  by the DEA. If finalized, this action                 NBOMe, 25C-NBOMe, and 25B-NBOMe
                                                                                                         would impose the regulatory controls                  have been used as research chemicals
                                                 Legal Authority
                                                                                                         and administrative, civil, and criminal               and/or studied due to their misuse and
                                                    The DEA implements and enforces                      sanctions of schedule I controlled                    abuse, based on the review of the
                                                 Titles II and III of the Comprehensive                  substances on any person who handles,                 scientific literature, there are no known
                                                 Drug Abuse Prevention and Control Act                   or proposes to handle, 25I-NBOMe, 25C-                medical uses for 25I-NBOMe, 25C-
                                                 of 1970, as amended. 21 U.S.C. 801–971.                 NBOMe, or 25B-NBOMe.                                  NBOMe, or 25B-NBOMe. The Assistant
                                                 Titles II and III are referred to as the                                                                      Secretary of Health for the U.S.
                                                 ‘‘Controlled Substances Act’’ and the                   Background
                                                                                                                                                               Department of Health and Human
                                                 ‘‘Controlled Substances Import and                         On November 15, 2013, the DEA                      Services (HHS) has advised that there
                                                 Export Act,’’ respectively, and are                     published a final order in the Federal                are no exemptions or approvals in effect
                                                 collectively referred to as the                         Register amending 21 CFR 1308.11(h) to                for 25I-NBOMe, 25C-NBOMe, or 25B-
                                                 ‘‘Controlled Substances Act’’ or the                    temporarily place 2-(4-iodo-2,5-                      NBOMe under section 505 of the
                                                 ‘‘CSA’’ for the purposes of this action.                dimethoxyphenyl)-N-(2-                                Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act,
                                                 21 U.S.C. 801–971. The DEA publishes                    methoxybenzyl)ethanamine (25I-                        21 U.S.C. 355. As stated by the HHS,
                                                 the implementing regulations for these                  NBOMe), 2-(4-chloro-2,5-                              25I-NBOMe, 25C-NBOMe, and 25B-
                                                 statutes in title 21 of the Code of Federal             dimethoxyphenyl)-N-(2-                                NBOMe have no known accepted
                                                 Regulations (CFR), chapter II. The CSA                  methoxybenzyl)ethanamine (25C-                        medical use. They are not the subject of
                                                 and its implementing regulations are                    NBOMe), and 2-(4-bromo-2,5-                           any approved new drug applications
                                                 designed to prevent, detect, and                        dimethoxyphenyl)-N-(2-                                (NDAs) or investigational new drug
                                                 eliminate the diversion of controlled                   methoxybenzyl)ethanamine (25B-                        applications (INDs), and are not
                                                 substances and listed chemicals into the                NBOMe) into schedule I of the CSA                     currently marketed as approved drug
                                                 illicit market while providing for the                  pursuant to the temporary scheduling                  products.
                                                 legitimate medical, scientific, research,               provisions of 21 U.S.C. 811(h). 78 FR
                                                 and industrial needs of the United                      68716. That final order, which became                 Proposed Determination to Schedule
                                                 States. Controlled substances have the                  effective on the date of publication, was             25I-NBOMe, 25C-NBOMe, or 25B-
                                                 potential for abuse and dependence and                  based on findings by the Deputy                       NBOMe
                                                 are controlled to protect the public                    Administrator of the DEA that the                       Pursuant to 21 U.S.C. 811(a)(1),
                                                 health and safety.                                      temporary scheduling of these three                   proceedings to add a drug or substance
                                                    Under the CSA, each controlled                       synthetic phenethylamine substances                   to those controlled under the CSA may
                                                 substance is classified into one of five                was necessary to avoid an imminent                    be initiated by the Attorney General, or
                                                 schedules based upon its potential for                                                                        her delegate, the DEA Administrator. On
                                                 abuse, its currently accepted medical                     1 As discussed in a memorandum of                   July 23, 2014, the DEA requested a
tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS3




                                                 use in treatment in the United States,                  understanding entered into by the Food and Drug       scientific and medical evaluation and
                                                                                                         Administration (FDA) and the National Institute on
                                                 and the degree of dependence the                        Drug Abuse (NIDA), the FDA acts as the lead agency
                                                                                                                                                               scheduling recommendations from the
                                                 substance may cause. 21 U.S.C. 812. The                 within the HHS in carrying out the Secretary’s        Assistant Secretary of Health for the
                                                 initial schedules of controlled                         scheduling responsibilities under the CSA, with the   HHS for 25I-NBOMe, 25C-NBOMe, and
                                                 substances established by Congress are                  concurrence of NIDA. 50 FR 9518, Mar. 8, 1985.        25B-NBOMe pursuant to 21 U.S.C.
                                                                                                         The Secretary of the HHS has delegated to the
                                                 found at 21 U.S.C. 812(c) and the                       Assistant Secretary for Health of the HHS the
                                                                                                                                                               811(b). Upon receipt of the scientific
                                                 current list of scheduled substances is                 authority to make domestic drug scheduling            and medical evaluation and scheduling
                                                 published at 21 CFR part 1308.                          recommendations. 58 FR 35460, July 1, 1993.           recommendations from the HHS dated


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                                                 70652                 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 219 / Friday, November 13, 2015 / Proposed Rules

                                                 August 12, 2015, the DEA reviewed the                   medical advice, or that it has a                      substantiating that 25I-NBOMe, 25C-
                                                 documents and all other relevant data,                  substantial capability of creating                    NBOMe, and/or 25B-NBOMe and their
                                                 and conducted its own eight-factor                      hazards to the health of the user or to               products are abused by humans for their
                                                 analysis of the abuse potential of 25I-                 the safety of the community.                          hallucinogenic effects, as well as
                                                 NBOMe, 25C-NBOMe, and 25B-NBOMe                           The substances 25I-NBOMe, 25C-                      published reports indicating an increase
                                                 pursuant to 21 U.S.C. 811(c).                           NBOMe, and 25B-NBOMe have no                          in the abuse of these substances. These
                                                    Included below is a brief summary of                 approved medical uses in the United                   reports of abuse are in agreement with
                                                 each of the eight factors as analyzed by                States and they have been encountered                 the large number of encounters of these
                                                 the HHS and the DEA, and as                             on the illicit market with adverse                    substances by law enforcement.
                                                 considered by the DEA in this proposed                  outcomes on the public health and                        2. Scientific Evidence of the Drug’s
                                                 action. Please note that both the DEA                   safety. Human use of these substances is              Pharmacological Effects, If Known:
                                                 and the HHS analyses are available                      due to the individual’s own initiative                Studies show that 25I-NBOMe, 25C-
                                                 under ‘‘Supporting Documents’’ of the                   and it has been established that they are             NBOMe, and 25B-NBOMe are full
                                                 public docket for this proposed rule at                 being abused for their psychoactive                   agonists at the 5-HT2A serotonin
                                                 http://www.regulations.gov under                        properties. For these reasons, there are              receptor based on the receptor binding
                                                 docket number DEA–423.                                  no legitimate drug channels for                       and functional activity profiles in in
                                                    1. The Drug’s Actual or Relative                     NBOMEs as marketed drugs and these                    vitro studies. In vivo experimental
                                                 Potential for Abuse: As described by the                substances should be limited to                       animal studies have reported that 25I-
                                                 HHS, the abuse potentials of 25I-                       scientific research. Reports from public              NBOMe and 25B-NBOMe significantly
                                                 NBOMe, 25C-NBOMe, and 25B-NBOMe                         health and law enforcement                            increase the head twitch response, a
                                                 are associated with their abilities to                  communicate that these substances are                 response associated with hallucinogens
                                                 produce psychoactive effects that are                   being abused and taken in amounts                     that act on the 5-HT2A serotonin
                                                 similar to those produced by other                      sufficient to create a hazard to one’s                receptor. In addition, 25I-NBOMe was
                                                 schedule I hallucinogens that have a                    own health as evidenced by the                        more potent than the schedule I
                                                 high potential for abuse such as 2,5-                   emergency department admissions and                   hallucinogen 2C-I, and 25B-NBOMe was
                                                 dimethoxy-4-methylamphetamine                           deaths and this misuse is also a                      more potent than the hallucinogen DOI
                                                 (DOM), 2,5-dimethoxy-4-                                 significant safety issue for those in the             in eliciting the head twitch response.
                                                 iodophenethylamine (2C-I), 2,5-                         community. Data from forensic                            According to the HHS, there are no
                                                 dimethoxy-4-chlorophenethylamine                        databases are used as indicators of illicit           reported human clinical trials with 25I-
                                                 (2C-C), 2,5-dimethoxy-4-                                activity with drugs and abuse 3 within                NBOMe, 25C-NBOMe, or 25B-NBOMe
                                                 bromophenthylamine (2C-B), and                          the United States and include the                     but there is evidence that these
                                                 lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD).                       System to Retrieve Information from                   substances are abused for their
                                                    The legislative history of the CSA                   Drug Evidence (STRIDE),4 STARLiMS,                    hallucinogenic effects. Clinical case
                                                 suggests the DEA consider the following                 and the National Forensic Laboratory                  reports indicate that 25I-NBOMe, 25C-
                                                 factors when determining whether a                      Information System (NFLIS).5 From                     NBOMe, and 25B-NBOMe produce a
                                                 particular drug or substance has a                      January 2011 through August 2015                      number of stimulant-like adverse
                                                 potential for abuse: 2                                  (query dates: September 22 & 23, 2015),               effects. According to the HHS, adverse
                                                    (1) There is evidence that individuals               STRIDE, STARLiMS, and NFLIS                           health effects associated with products
                                                 are taking the drug or drugs containing                 databases registered a total of 4,868                 containing synthetic phenethylamines
                                                 such a substance in amounts sufficient                  reports containing the three NBOMes                   include: Hallucinations (open and
                                                 to create a hazard to their health or to                (25I-NBOMe—2,714 reports; 25C-                        closed eye visuals), nausea, excessive
                                                                                                         NBOMe—1,291 reports; 25B-NBOMe—                       sweating, tachycardia, psychomotor
                                                 the safety of other individuals or of the
                                                                                                         863 reports). These drug reports                      agitation, prolonged seizures,
                                                 community;
                                                                                                         represent NBOMe data reported to these                rhabdomyolysis, and renal failure.
                                                    (2) There is significant diversion of
                                                                                                         databases by participating DEA,                          3. The State of Current Scientific
                                                 the drug or drugs containing such a
                                                                                                         Customs and Border Protection (CBP),                  Knowledge Regarding the Drug or Other
                                                 substance from legitimate drug                                                                                Substance: 25I-NBOMe, 25C-NBOMe
                                                 channels;                                               state, and local/municipal forensic
                                                                                                         laboratories in the United States. 25I-               and 25B-NBOMe are classified as 2C
                                                    (3) Individuals are taking the drug or                                                                     compounds, a structural class with a
                                                 drugs containing such a substance on                    NBOMe, 25C-NBOMe, and 25B-NBOMe
                                                                                                         have been reported to produce                         phenethylamine core substituted with
                                                 their own initiative rather than on the                                                                       methoxy groups on the 2 and 5
                                                 basis of medical advice from a                          hallucinogenic effects. There have been
                                                                                                         numerous anecdotal self-reports                       positions of the phenyl ring. 25I-
                                                 practitioner licensed by law to                                                                               NBOMe, 25C-NBOMe, and 25B-NBOMe
                                                 administer such drugs in the course of                                                                        are structurally similar to the 2C-X
                                                                                                           3 While law enforcement data is not direct
                                                 his professional practice; or                                                                                 compounds (2C-I, 2C-C, and 2C-B,
                                                                                                         evidence of abuse, it can lead to an inference that
                                                    (4) The drug or drugs containing such                a drug has been diverted and abused. See 76 FR        respectively) which are controlled as
                                                 a substance are new drugs so related in                 77330, 77332, Dec. 12, 2011.                          schedule I hallucinogenic substances
                                                 their action to a drug or drugs already                   4 STRIDE was a database that collected analyses
                                                                                                                                                               under the CSA. Data indicate that 25I-
                                                 listed as having a potential for abuse to               of results from drug evidence sent to DEA
                                                                                                         laboratories. Evidence was submitted by the DEA,      NBOMe, 25C-NBOMe, and 25B-NBOMe
                                                 make it likely that the drug will have                  other Federal agencies, and select local law          are rapidly distributed from the blood
                                                 the same potentiality for abuse as such                 enforcement agencies. On October 1, 2014,             into the brain, liver, and bile. Studies
                                                 drugs, thus making it reasonable to
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                                                                                                         STARLiMS replaced STRIDE as the DEA system of         examining elimination of NBOMes have
                                                 assume that there may be significant                    record for forensic laboratory drug evidence data.
                                                                                                           5 NFLIS is a DEA program and a national forensic    reported that 90% of the parent
                                                 diversions from legitimate channels,                                                                          compound is eliminated from the
                                                                                                         laboratory reporting system that systematically
                                                 significant use contrary to or without                  collects results from drug chemistry analyses         plasma within 90 minutes and urine
                                                                                                         conducted by state and local forensic laboratories    samples suggest that the corresponding
                                                   2 Comprehensive Drug Abuse Prevention and             in the United States. The NFLIS database also
                                                 Control Act of 1970, H.R. Rep. No. 91–1444, 91st        contains Federal data from CBP. NFLIS includes
                                                                                                                                                               2C compounds (i.e., 2C-I, 2C-C, and 2C-
                                                 Cong., Sess. 2 (1970); reprinted in 1970                drug chemistry results from completed analyses        B) may be metabolites of the NBOMes.
                                                 U.S.C.C.A.N. 4566, 4601.                                only.                                                 According to the HHS, 25I-NBOMe,


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                                                                       Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 219 / Friday, November 13, 2015 / Proposed Rules                                                 70653

                                                 25C-NBOMe and 25B-NBOMe are not                         25I-NBOMe, 25C-NBOMe, and 25B-                        analysis, the DEA finds that these facts
                                                 U.S. Food and Drug Administration                       NBOMe to individual abusers as well as                and all other relevant data constitute
                                                 (FDA)-approved drug products. The                       to the public. Furthermore, the HHS                   substantial evidence of the potential for
                                                 DEA is not aware of any currently                       stated that the NBOMe series of drugs                 abuse of 25I-NBOMe, 25C-NBOMe, and
                                                 accepted medical use or NDAs for 25I-                   have much narrower ‘‘therapeutic’’                    25B-NBOMe. As such, the DEA hereby
                                                 NBOMe, 25C-NBOMe, or 25B-NBOMe.                         ratios and much smaller margins of                    proposes to schedule 25I-NBOMe, 25C-
                                                 Furthermore, the Assistant Secretary of                 safety than most other known                          NBOMe, and 25B-NBOMe as controlled
                                                 the HHS responded that there were no                    hallucinogens, and so carry greater risk              substances under the CSA.
                                                 current INDs or NDAs for these                          of acute toxicity and death.
                                                 synthetic phenethylamines in the                           There have been numerous reports of                Proposed Determination of Appropriate
                                                 scientific and medical evaluations and                  deaths associated with the abuse of 25I-              Schedule
                                                 recommendations addressed to the DEA                    NBOMe, 25C-NBOMe, and 25B-NBOMe.                         The CSA establishes five schedules of
                                                 Deputy Administrator dated August 12,                   Published case reports have also                      controlled substances known as
                                                 2015.                                                   described deaths associated with the                  schedules I, II, III, IV, and V. The CSA
                                                    4. Its History and Current Pattern of                ingestion of the NBOMe substances. As                 also outlines the findings required to
                                                 Abuse: Law enforcement has                              of October 2013, the DEA has obtained                 place a drug or other substance in any
                                                 encountered 25I-NBOMe, 25C-NBOMe,                       medical examiner and postmortem                       particular schedule. 21 U.S.C. 812(b).
                                                 and 25B-NBOMe in the illicit drug                       toxicology reports implicating some                   After consideration of the analysis and
                                                 market. These synthetic substances are                  combination of 25I-NBOMe, 25C-                        recommendation of the Assistant
                                                 available over the Internet and sold                    NBOMe, and 25B-NBOMe in the death                     Secretary for HHS and review of all
                                                 through illicit channels, often purported               of 17 individuals. The average age of                 other available data, the Administrator
                                                 to be schedule I hallucinogens, like                    these individuals is 20 years (range 15               of the DEA, pursuant to 21 U.S.C. 811(a)
                                                 LSD. Market names for products found                    to 29 years). The circumstances                       and 21 U.S.C. 812(b)(1), finds that:
                                                 to contain NBOMe include, but are not                   surrounding the deaths include acute                     (1) 25I-NBOMe, 25C-NBOMe, and
                                                 limited to: ‘‘Smiles,’’ ‘‘N-bomb,’’                     toxicity (14) or unpredictable, violent               25B-NBOMe have a high potential for
                                                 ‘‘Cimbi-5,’’ ‘‘25I,’’ and others. 25I-                  behavior due to 25I-NBOMe toxicity                    abuse that is comparable to other
                                                 NBOMe, 25C-NBOMe, and 25B-NBOMe                         ultimately leading to death (3). As                   schedule I substances such as 2C-I, 2C-
                                                 have been seized as powders, as                         detailed above, there are reported                    C, 2C-B, LSD and DOM;
                                                 solutions, on blotter paper, and laced on               instances of emergency department                        (2) 25I-NBOMe, 25C-NBOMe, and
                                                 food items. According to the HHS, 25I-                  admissions and deaths associated with                 25B-NBOMe have no currently accepted
                                                 NBOMe, 25C-NBOMe, and 25B-NBOMe                         the abuse of these synthetic substances.              medical use in treatment in the United
                                                 are abused in the same manner as                        There is no accepted medical use of                   States; and
                                                 schedule I hallucinogens such as LSD,                   these substances in the United States.                   (3) There is a lack of accepted safety
                                                 DOM, 2C-I, 2C-B, and 2C-C.                                 7. Its Psychic or Physiological                    for use of 25I-NBOMe, 25C-NBOMe, or
                                                 Furthermore, evidence indicates that                    Dependence Liability: According to the                25B-NBOMe under medical supervision.
                                                 youth appear to be the primary abusers                  HHS, the pharmacologic profiles of 25I-                  Based on these findings, the
                                                 of these synthetic substances.                          NBOMe, 25C-NBOMe, and 25B-NBOMe                       Administrator of the DEA concludes
                                                    5. The Scope, Duration, and                          strongly suggest that they possess                    that 2-(4-iodo-2,5-dimethoxyphenyl)-N-
                                                 Significance of Abuse: Evidence from                    physiological and psychological                       (2-methoxybenzyl)ethanamine (25I-
                                                 law enforcement indicates that the                      dependence liability that is similar to               NBOMe; 2C-I-NBOMe; 25I; Cimbi-5), 2-
                                                 abuse of 25I-NBOMe, 25C-NBOMe, and                      that of schedule I hallucinogens such as              (4-chloro-2,5-dimethoxyphenyl)-N-(2-
                                                 25B-NBOMe is widespread. Law                            LSD, 2C-I, 2C-C, 2C-B, and DOM,                       methoxybenzyl)ethanamine (25C-
                                                 enforcement databases registered a total                although there are no studies or case
                                                                                                                                                               NBOMe; 2C-C-NBOMe; 25C; Cimbi-82)
                                                 of 4,868 drug reports involving 25I-                    reports that document the psychic or
                                                                                                                                                               and 2-(4-bromo-2,5-dimethoxyphenyl)-
                                                 NBOMe, 25C-NBOMe, or 25B-NBOMe                          physiological dependence potential of
                                                                                                                                                               N-(2-methoxybenzyl)ethanamine (25B-
                                                 (query date: September 22 & 23, 2015)                   these substances. However, based on the
                                                                                                                                                               NBOMe; 2C-B-NBOMe; 25B; Cimbi-36),
                                                 spanning a time period from January                     structural similarity between the
                                                                                                                                                               including their salts, isomers and salts
                                                 2011 through August 2015. Law                           NBOMes (25I-NBOMe, 25C-NBOMe,
                                                                                                                                                               of isomers, whenever the existence of
                                                 enforcement encounters of 25I-NBOMe,                    and 25B-NBOMe) and other schedule I
                                                                                                                                                               such salts, isomers, and salts of isomers
                                                 25C-NBOMe, or 25B-NBOMe have                            hallucinogens (2C-I, 2C-B, 2C-C) and the
                                                                                                                                                               is possible, warrant control in schedule
                                                 occurred in at least 43 states and the                  similarity in pharmacological actions
                                                                                                                                                               I of the CSA. 21 U.S.C. 812(b)(1).
                                                 District of Columbia. As stated by the                  and resulting effects in the hallucinogen
                                                 HHS, based on the pharmacological                       drug class (e.g. LSD, psilocybin), it is              Requirements for Handling 25I-
                                                 properties of the substances, it is                     expected that the NBOMes will share a                 NBOMe, 25C-NBOMe, or 25B-NBOMe
                                                 reasonable to assume that, if                           similar psychic and psychological                        If this rule is finalized as proposed,
                                                 uncontrolled, the scope, duration, and                  dependence liability.                                 persons who handle 25I-NBOMe, 25C-
                                                 significance of 25I-NBOMe, 25C-                            8. Whether the Substance is an
                                                                                                                                                               NBOMe, or 25B-NBOMe would
                                                 NBOMe, or 25B-NBOMe abuse could be                      Immediate Precursor of a Substance
                                                                                                                                                               continue 6 to be subject to the regulatory
                                                 similar to that of LSD. Concerns over the               Already Controlled Under the CSA: 25I-
                                                                                                                                                               controls and administrative, civil, and
                                                 abuse of 25I-NBOMe, 25C-NBOMe, or                       NBOMe, 25C-NBOMe, and 25B-NBOMe
                                                                                                                                                               criminal sanctions applicable to the
                                                 25B-NBOMe have prompted state,                          are not considered immediate
                                                                                                                                                               manufacture, distribution, possession,
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                                                 military, and international control of                  precursors of any controlled substance
                                                                                                                                                               importing, and exporting of schedule I
                                                 these substances.                                       of the CSA as defined by 21 U.S.C
                                                    6. What, if Any, Risk There is to the                                                                      controlled substances, including those
                                                                                                         802(23).
                                                 Public Health: Law enforcement,                            Conclusion: Based on consideration of              listed below:
                                                 medical community representatives,                      the scientific and medical evaluations                  6 25I-NBOMe, 25C-NBOMe, and 25B-NBOMe are
                                                 and public health officials have reported               and accompanying recommendation of                    currently subject to schedule I controls on a
                                                 exposure incidents that demonstrate the                 the HHS, and based on the DEA’s                       temporary basis, pursuant to 21 U.S.C. 811(h). 78
                                                 dangers associated with the abuse of                    considerations of its own eight-factor                FR 68716.



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                                                 70654                 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 219 / Friday, November 13, 2015 / Proposed Rules

                                                    1. Registration. Any person who                      U.S.C. 952, 953, 957, and 958, and in                 substantial number of small entities. On
                                                 handles (manufactures, distributes,                     accordance with 21 CFR part 1312.                     November 15, 2013, the DEA published
                                                 imports, exports, engages in research, or                 9. Liability. Any activity involving                a final order to temporarily place these
                                                 conducts instructional activities or                    25I-NBOMe, 25C-NBOMe, or 25B-                         three synthetic phenethylamines into
                                                 chemical analysis with, or possesses)                   NBOMe not authorized by, or in                        schedule I of the CSA pursuant to the
                                                 25I-NBOMe, 25C-NBOMe, or 25B-                           violation of, the CSA or its                          temporary scheduling provisions of 21
                                                 NBOMe, or who desires to handle 25I-                    implementing regulations would be                     U.S.C. 811(h). The DEA estimates that
                                                 NBOMe, 25C-NBOMe, or 25B-NBOMe                          unlawful, and could subject the person                all entities handling or planning to
                                                 would be required to be registered with                 to administrative, civil, and/or criminal             handle 25I-NBOMe, 25C-NBOMe, or
                                                 the DEA to conduct such activities                      sanctions.                                            25B-NBOMe are currently registered to
                                                 pursuant to 21 U.S.C. 822, 823, 957, and                Regulatory Analyses                                   handle these substances. There are
                                                 958, and in accordance with 21 CFR                                                                            currently 18 registrations authorized to
                                                 parts 1301 and 1312.                                    Executive Orders 12866 and 13563                      handle 25I-NBOMe, 25C-NBOMe, or
                                                    2. Security. 25I-NBOMe, 25C-NBOMe,                     In accordance with 21 U.S.C. 811(a),                25B-NBOMe, as well as a number of
                                                 and 25B-NBOMe would be subject to                       this proposed scheduling action is                    registered analytical labs that are
                                                 schedule I security requirements and                    subject to formal rulemaking procedures               authorized to handle schedule I
                                                 would need to be handled and stored                     done ‘‘on the record after opportunity                controlled substances generally. These
                                                 pursuant to 21 U.S.C. 821, 823, and                     for a hearing,’’ which are conducted                  18 registrations represent 13 entities, of
                                                 871(b), and in accordance with 21 CFR                   pursuant to the provisions of 5 U.S.C.                which 6 are small entities. Therefore,
                                                 1301.71-1301.93.                                        556 and 557. The CSA sets forth the                   the DEA estimates six small entities are
                                                    3. Labeling and Packaging. All labels,               criteria for scheduling a drug or other               affected by this proposed rule.
                                                 labeling, and packaging for commercial                  substance. Such actions are exempt                       A review of the 18 registrations
                                                 containers of 25I-NBOMe, 25C-NBOMe,                     from review by the Office of                          indicates that all entities that currently
                                                 or 25B-NBOMe would need to be in                        Management and Budget (OMB)                           handle 25I-NBOMe, 25C-NBOMe, or
                                                 compliance with 21 U.S.C. 825 and                       pursuant to section 3(d)(1) of Executive              25B-NBOMe handle other schedule I
                                                 958(e), and be in accordance with 21                    Order 12866 and the principles                        controlled substances, and have
                                                 CFR part 1302.                                          reaffirmed in Executive Order 13563.                  established and implemented (or
                                                    4. Quota. Only registered                                                                                  currently maintain) the systems and
                                                 manufacturers would be permitted to                     Executive Order 12988                                 processes required to handle 25I-
                                                 manufacture 25I-NBOMe, 25C-NBOMe,                          This proposed regulation meets the                 NBOMe, 25C-NBOMe, or 25B-NBOMe.
                                                 or 25B-NBOMe in accordance with a                       applicable standards set forth in                     Therefore, the DEA anticipates that this
                                                 quota assigned pursuant to 21 U.S.C.                    sections 3(a) and 3(b)(2) of Executive                proposed rule will impose minimal or
                                                 826 and in accordance with 21 CFR part                  Order 12988 to eliminate drafting errors              no economic impact on any affected
                                                 1303.                                                   and ambiguity, minimize litigation,                   entities; and thus, will not have a
                                                    5. Inventory. Any person who                         provide a clear legal standard for                    significant economic impact on any of
                                                 becomes registered with the DEA on or                   affected conduct, and promote                         the six affected small entities. Therefore,
                                                 after the effective date of the final rule              simplification and burden reduction.                  the DEA has concluded that this
                                                 must take an initial inventory of all                                                                         proposed rule will not have a significant
                                                 stocks of controlled substances                         Executive Order 13132                                 effect on a substantial number of small
                                                 (including NBOMes) on hand on the                         This proposed rulemaking does not                   entities.
                                                 date the registrant first engages in the                have federalism implications warranting
                                                 handling of controlled substances                                                                             Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995
                                                                                                         the application of Executive Order
                                                 pursuant to 21 U.S.C. 827 and 958, and                  13132. The proposed rule does not have                  On the basis of information contained
                                                 in accordance with 21 CFR 1304.03,                      substantial direct effects on the States,             in the ‘‘Regulatory Flexibility Act’’
                                                 1304.04, and 1304.11.                                   on the relationship between the national              section above, the DEA has determined
                                                    After the initial inventory, every DEA               government and the States, or the                     and certifies pursuant to the Unfunded
                                                 registrant must take a new inventory of                 distribution of power and                             Mandates Reform Act (UMRA) of 1995,
                                                 all stocks of controlled substances                     responsibilities among the various                    2 U.S.C. 1501 et seq., that this action
                                                 (including NBOMes) on hand every two                    levels of government.                                 would not result in any Federal
                                                 years pursuant to 21 U.S.C. 827 and 958,                                                                      mandate that may result in the
                                                 and in accordance with 21 CFR 1304.03,                  Executive Order 13175                                 expenditure by State, local, and tribal
                                                 1304.04, and 1304.11.                                      This proposed rule does not have                   governments, in the aggregate, or by the
                                                    6. Records and Reports. Every DEA                    tribal implications warranting the                    private sector, of $100,000,000 or more
                                                 registrant would be required to maintain                application of Executive Order 13175. It              (adjusted for inflation) in any one year.
                                                 records and submit reports with respect                 does not have substantial direct effects              Therefore, neither a Small Government
                                                 to 25I-NBOMe, 25C-NBOMe, and/or                         on one or more Indian tribes, on the                  Agency Plan nor any other action is
                                                 25B-NBOMe pursuant to 21 U.S.C. 827                     relationship between the Federal                      required under provisions of the UMRA
                                                 and 958, and in accordance with 21 CFR                  Government and Indian tribes, or on the               of 1995.
                                                 parts 1304 and 1312.                                    distribution of power and
                                                    7. Order Forms. Every DEA registrant                                                                       Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995
                                                                                                         responsibilities between the Federal
                                                 who distributes 25I-NBOMe, 25C-                         Government and Indian tribes.                           This action does not impose a new
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                                                 NBOMe, or 25B-NBOMe would be                                                                                  collection of information under the
                                                 required to comply with the order form                  Regulatory Flexibility Act                            Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. 44
                                                 requirements, pursuant to 21 U.S.C. 828,                  The Administrator, in accordance                    U.S.C. 3501–3521. This action would
                                                 and 21 CFR part 1305.                                   with the Regulatory Flexibility Act                   not impose recordkeeping or reporting
                                                    8. Importation and Exportation. All                  (RFA), 5 U.S.C. 601–602, has reviewed                 requirements on State or local
                                                 importation and exportation of 25I-                     this proposed rule and by approving it,               governments, individuals, businesses, or
                                                 NBOMe, 25C-NBOMe, and 25B-NBOMe                         certifies that it will not have a                     organizations. An agency may not
                                                 would need to be in compliance with 21                  significant economic impact on a                      conduct or sponsor, and a person is not


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                                                                       Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 219 / Friday, November 13, 2015 / Proposed Rules                                                        70655

                                                 required to respond to, a collection of                   Authority: 21 U.S.C. 811, 812, 871(b),                (49)     2-(4-chloro-2,5-dimethoxy-
                                                 information unless it displays a                        unless otherwise noted.                                   phenyl)-N-(2-methoxy-
                                                 currently valid OMB control number.                     ■ 2. In § 1308.11:                                        benzyl)ethanamine (25C-NBOMe
                                                                                                         ■ a. Add paragraphs (d)(48) through                       or 2C-C-NBOMe) ..........................    (7537)
                                                 List of Subjects in 21 CFR Part 1308                                                                            (50)     2-(4-bromo-2,5-dimethoxy-
                                                                                                         (50);
                                                   Administrative practice and                           ■ b. Remove paragraphs (h)(4), (5), and                   phenyl)-N-(2-methoxy-
                                                 procedure, Drug traffic control,                                                                                  benzyl)ethanamine (25B-NBOMe
                                                                                                         (6); and
                                                 Reporting and recordkeeping                                                                                       or 2C-B-NBOMe) ..........................    (7536)
                                                                                                         ■ c. Redesignate paragraphs (h)(7)
                                                 requirements.                                           through (24) as (h)(4) through (21).                    *      *      *       *      *
                                                   For the reasons set out above, 21 CFR                   The additions read as follows:
                                                                                                                                                                   Dated: November 10, 2015.
                                                 part 1308 is proposed to be amended as
                                                                                                         § 1308.11     Schedule I.                               Chuck Rosenberg,
                                                 follows:
                                                                                                         *       *    *        *       *                         Acting Administrator.
                                                 PART 1308—SCHEDULES OF                                      (d) * * *                                           [FR Doc. 2015–29026 Filed 11–12–15; 8:45 am]
                                                 CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES                                   (48)       2-(4-iodo-2,5-dimethoxy-                     BILLING CODE 4410–09–P
                                                                                                           phenyl)-N-(2-methoxy-
                                                 ■ 1. The authority citation for 21 CFR                    benzyl)ethanamine (25I-NBOMe
                                                 part 1308 continues to read as follows:                   or 2C-I-NBOMe) ...........................   (7538)
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Document Created: 2018-03-01 11:23:20
Document Modified: 2018-03-01 11:23:20
CategoryRegulatory Information
CollectionFederal Register
sudoc ClassAE 2.7:
GS 4.107:
AE 2.106:
PublisherOffice of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration
SectionProposed Rules
ActionNotice of proposed rulemaking.
DatesInterested persons may file written comments on this proposal in accordance with 21 CFR 1308.43(g). Electronic comments must be submitted, and written comments must be postmarked, on or before December 14, 2015. Commenters should be aware that the electronic Federal Docket Management System will not accept comments after 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on the last day of the comment period.
ContactJohn R. Scherbenske, Office of
FR Citation80 FR 70650 
CFR AssociatedAdministrative Practice and Procedure; Drug Traffic Control and Reporting and Recordkeeping Requirements

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