- The US Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) reverses its decision to schedule five psychedelic substances under the most restrictive class of drugs
- Advocates and researchers pled their case in a DEA hearing, highlighting the potential medical and research benefits of the drugs
- Following this hearing, the DEA withdrew its move to schedule the drugs and cancelled any further hearings
- The news is a big win for US researchers who would have faced the brunt of the drug restrictions as well as higher costs
- The drugs will remain illegal when used recreationally but will allow researchers to uncover potential medical treatments
The US Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) has reversed its decision to schedule five psychedelic substances under the most restrictive class of drugs.
This category is usually reserved for substances that have no medical use and a high potential for abuse.
In January, the DEA made the move to schedule the drugs under this category, causing considerable public backlash due to the potential medical benefits.
This included a letter from a group of members of Congress urging the DEA to allow terminally ill patients the right to access psilocybin.
Advocates and researchers pled their case in a DEA hearing, highlighting the potential medical and research benefits of the drugs, one of which showed the potential to treat postpartum depression and treatment-resistant depression.
Following this hearing, the DEA withdrew its move to schedule the drugs and cancelled any further hearings.
It reasoned more updated scientific and medical evaluations were required from the Department of Health and Human Services.
The news is a big win for US researchers who would have faced the brunt of the drug restrictions as well as higher costs.
Psychedelic start-ups have been gaining traction recently, with billions invested into the industry and increasing acceptance from the US Food and Drug Administration.
The drugs will remain illegal when used recreationally but will allow researchers to uncover potential medical treatments.