Schedules of Controlled Substances: Temporary Placement of Four Synthetic Cannabinoids Into Schedule I

The Deputy Administrator of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) is issuing this notice of intent to temporarily schedule four synthetic cannabinoids into Schedule I pursuant to the temporary scheduling provisions of the Controlled Substances Act (CSA). The substances are: quinolin-8-yl 1-pentyl-1H-indole-3-carboxylate (PB- 22; QUPIC); quinolin-8-yl 1-(5-fluoropentyl)-1H-indole-3-carboxylate (5-fluoro-PB-22; 5F-PB-22); N-(1-amino-3-methyl-1-oxobutan-2-yl)-1-(4- fluorobenzyl)-1H-indazole-3-carboxamide (AB-FUBINACA); and N-(1-amino- 3,3-dimethyl-1-oxobutan-2-yl)-1-pentyl-1H-indazole-3-carboxamide (ADB- PINACA). This action is based on a finding by the Deputy Administrator that the placement of these synthetic cannabinoids into Schedule I of the CSA is necessary to avoid an imminent hazard to the public safety. Any final order will impose the administrative, civil, and criminal sanctions and regulatory controls applicable to Schedule I substances under the CSA on the manufacture, distribution, possession, importation, exportation, research, and conduct of instructional activities of these synthetic cannabinoids.