DEA Temporarily Bans 2-Fluorodeschloroketamine

The Drug Enforcement Administration has added 2-fluorodeschloroketamine (2-FDCK) to Schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act. This is a temporary placement that will last up to two years while the agency evaluates whether to make the ban permanent.

Why it matters: This rule closes a regulatory gap for an emerging synthetic drug that has appeared on the illicit market. By placing it in Schedule I, law enforcement gains immediate authority to prosecute possession and distribution, and researchers must obtain a special license to study it. The temporary nature of the order gives the DEA time to gather more data before deciding whether to permanently control the substance.

Who it affects

• Individuals who manufacture, sell, or possess 2-fluorodeschloroketamine or its salts and isomers

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This action was published by the Drug Enforcement Administration in the Federal Register; readers relying on the scheduling status should verify the official document and any subsequent extensions or permanent rules.

Agency: Justice Department, Drug Enforcement Administration
Source: Federal Register — read the official document