Six synthetic cannabinoids into Schedule I across three weeks

DEA finalized permanent Schedule I placement for six synthetic cannabinoids across three separate rules this spring: MDMB-4en-PINACA on April 27, 2026, then 4F-MDMB-BUTICA, ADB-4en-PINACA, 5F-EDMB-PICA, and MMB-FUBICA on May 1, 2026, and CUMYL-PEGACLONE on May 13, 2026.

All six substances have already been in schedule I since December 12, 2023, under temporary scheduling orders [1][2][3]. What changed this spring is that DEA made those placements permanent: the MDMB-4en-PINACA rule took effect April 27 [1]; the rule covering 4F-MDMB-BUTICA, ADB-4en-PINACA, 5F-EDMB-PICA, and MMB-FUBICA took effect May 1 [2]; and the CUMYL-PEGACLONE rule took effect May 13 [3]. Each final rule covers the substance's salts, isomers, and salts of isomers [1][2][3], and each imposes schedule I administrative, civil, and criminal sanctions on anyone who handles or proposes to handle the substance [1][2][3]. For someone deciding whether to use any of these six compounds: they were already federally controlled under temporary orders, and are now controlled on a permanent footing in schedule I, where unauthorized possession is unlawful and may be prosecuted [1][2][3].

DEA's findings behind all three rules follow the same pattern: each substance binds to and fully activates the CB1 cannabinoid receptor [1][2][3], and none has an accepted medical use in the US [1][2][3]. Documented harm varies: fatal intoxications for MDMB-4en-PINACA [1], poisonings and deaths for 4F-MDMB-BUTICA, ADB-4en-PINACA, and 5F-EDMB-PICA [2], seizures, sudden collapse, and death for CUMYL-PEGACLONE [3], and for MMB-FUBICA, DEA expects similar effects based on its similarity to other schedule I synthetic cannabinoids [2]. DEA's abuse-potential findings for all six substances compare them to other already-scheduled synthetic cannabinoids [1][2][3].

Each rule followed the same path: a notice of proposed rulemaking, comments received — 50 on MDMB-4en-PINACA [1], one unrelated comment on the four-substance rule [2], one supportive comment on CUMYL-PEGACLONE [3] — and then a final rule DEA made effective immediately on a finding of good cause, citing the imminent hazard each substance already posed under its temporary order [1][2][3]. All three rules are now final.

References

1. Schedules of Controlled Substances: Placement of MDMB-4en-PINACA in Schedule I — Federal Register
2. Schedules of Controlled Substances: Placement of 4F-MDMB-BUTICA, ADB-4en-PINACA, 5F-EDMB-PICA, and MMB-FUBICA in Schedule I — Federal Register
3. Schedules of Controlled Substances: Placement of CUMYL-PEGACLONE in Schedule I — Federal Register