DEA Hikes Production of Psychedelics for Research Purposes
The Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) has increased the production of psychedelics to meet the growing demand for research. This repeated psychedelic production hike is quite ironic considering the fact that the substances are technically illegal for human consumption. However, progress is being made in the context of the use of psychedelics for research purposes as evidenced by the DEA’s push for increased production.
Why the DEA is Boosting Psychedelics Production Quotas
The DEA is proposing a substantial increase in the production quotas for psychedelics. In particular, the ever-growing research demand for MDMA, psilocybin and 5-MeO-DMT has forced the DEA to boost psychedelic production. The agency made the public aware of the increased need for psychedelics in the form of a noticed published earlier this week in the Federal Registry. This document contained the agency’s final ’22 production quotas for these potentially therapeutic substances.
Though few know it, the agency established APQs, short for Aggregate Production Quotas, on a yearly basis that cap the production of drugs listed on Schedule I and Schedule II. Psychedelics are currently listed on these Schedules.
Details About the Increased Production of Psychedelics
The DEA is pushing for large increases in several different psychedelics, greatly surpassing initial estimates for ’22 APQs. The anticipated production of psilocybin will increase a whopping 167%. Furthermore, the production of psilocin is set to double in the upcoming year.
The agency’s production of 5-MeO-DMT will jump nearly 400%. Furthermore, psychedelic investors will be happy to learn the DEA is set to increase its production of MDMA by 156% in the upcoming year.
Why the Production Hike Matters
The increased production of psychedelics gives hope to those battling anxiety, depression, PTSD and other mental health challenges. The DEA’s push to expand research on these substances is also music to the ears of those already invested in psychedelics stocks and those who have been patiently waiting on the sidelines for an investing opportunity.
Rewind to the DEA’s original production quotas for psychedelics, compare them to the updated quotas and you will find there is a significant increase across the board. From LSD to mescaline, DMT, MDMA and beyond, the DEA is pushing for production hikes of the vast majority of psychedelics. The increased production of these substances sets the stage for research activities including those all-important clinical trials. These trials will occur right here at home in the United States and also in Canada.
The Door is Open for Even More Production
The DEA also mentioned its production quotas for psychedelics have the potential to change even more in the year ahead. If the DEA is provided with additional research protocols from researchers registered with the agency or quota applications from manufacturers, it will alter the APQs moving forward.
In other words, there is the potential for the DEA to bolster the production of psychedelics beyond current quotas as the year ahead takes shape. Though the DEA’s production hike of psychedelics does not guarantee they will eventually be removed from Schedule I and Schedule II, it certainly provides hope for their use in the context of treating patients suffering from mental health problems.
