DEA Proposes Schedule I Classification for Synthetic Psychedelic DOI Amid Controversy

The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) is moving to classify the synthetic psychedelic DOI as a Schedule I substance under the Controlled Substances Act, a designation typically reserved for drugs deemed to have a high potential for abuse and no accepted medical use. This decision has sparked significant backlash from researchers and advocates, who argue that DOI has been the subject of over 900 studies and is crucial for understanding serotonin's role in mental health. SSDP attorney Brett Phelps criticized the DEA's actions, asserting that the agency is overstepping its authority by labeling DOI, which has shown no evidence of abuse, as a dangerous substance. Supporters of DOI emphasize its importance in psychiatric research, particularly in mapping serotonin receptors linked to learning and memory. The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has acknowledged that while some individuals may use DOI for its hallucinogenic effects, there is no substantial evidence of widespread recreational use or harm. The DEA's own data indicates that DOI and its counterpart DOC accounted for a mere 0.004 percent of nearly 1.2 million drug reports collected in 2022, raising questions about the necessity of the proposed ban. Critics point out that the DEA has not provided evidence of serious adverse events related to DOI use, with only 40 seizures reported over three decades and no documented cases of distress or fatalities. The SSDP and other advocates are urging the DEA to reconsider its stance, arguing that the proposed classification could hinder vital scientific research on the compound and its potential therapeutic benefits.