DEA Extends Temporary Ban on Five Designer Benzodiazepines Until 2026
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What Are the Banned Substances?
The substances included in this order are:
- Clonazolam
- Diclazepam
- Etizolam
- Flualprazolam
- Flubromazolam
These include their salts, isomers, and salts of isomers.
Background
On July 26, 2023, the DEA first placed these five substances under Schedule I due to an “imminent hazard to the public safety.” That two-year ban was set to end on July 26, 2025. The DEA says it needs more time to finish permanent scheduling rules.
Legal Process
The Controlled Substances Act allows the DEA to make temporary bans for up to two years. The ban can be extended for one more year if work to make the ban permanent is not finished.
The Acting Administrator of the DEA started the process for a permanent ban. The DEA is publishing a notice of proposed rulemaking about this in the Federal Register.
Regulatory Details
The extension of the ban is not a regular rule but an order. This order is not subject to notice-and-comment rulemaking. The extension uses authority under 21 U.S.C. 811(h), which allows an expedited action to avoid risks to public safety.
The DEA says that more delays would be against the public interest. Not extending the ban now could create risks if the substances became legal again before permanent rules are ready.
Impacts on the Public
Under Schedule I, these drugs are illegal to make, distribute, import, export, research, or possess unless specially permitted. Anyone handling these substances is subject to the same controls and penalties as with other Schedule I drugs.
Why the Ban?
The DEA explains that these five designer benzodiazepines pose a risk to public health. They used their emergency powers to make and extend this temporary ban.
Administrative Information
The order was signed on July 22, 2025, by Acting Administrator Robert J. Murphy. The official document was filed for publication and sent to both Houses of Congress and to the Comptroller General, although this is not legally required since it is an order, not a rule.
Effective Date
The order is effective July 26, 2025, and will stay in effect until July 26, 2026, unless permanent rules are made before then.
Contact
Questions can be directed to Terrence L. Boos, Drug and Chemical Evaluation Section, Diversion Control Division, DEA, at 8701 Morrissette Drive, Springfield, VA 22152, phone (571) 362-3249.
Legal Disclaimer
This article includes content collected from the Federal Register (federalregister.gov). The content is not an official government publication. This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For case-specific consultation, please contact us. Read our full Legal Disclaimer, which also includes information on translation accuracy.
