The Drug Enforcement Administration (“DEA”) and the states are struggling with how to confront the challenges posed by the opioid abuse crisis. One aspect of this problem relates to employee theft, particularly at the pharmacy level. The California Board of Pharmacy (“BOP”), as well as …
Overprescribing and inappropriate prescribing of controlled substances are significant causes of the nationwide opioid abuse epidemic. We have long believed that to effectively address the opioid epidemic, the Drug Enforcement Administration (“DEA”) must focus on physicians and other practitioners who fail to comply with legitimate …
On December 29th, the Drug Enforcement Administration (“DEA”) published notice of its intent to temporarily control fentanyl-related substances that are not currently regulated under the Controlled Substances Act (“CSA”). Schedules of Controlled Substances: Temporary Placement of Fentanyl-Related Substances in Schedule I, 82 Fed. Reg. 61700 …
Federal law continues to prohibit the possession, cultivation or distribution of marijuana and prohibits operating a business for these purposes. A number of states continue to follow Federal law and prohibit the use of marijuana under any circumstance, but a growing majority of other states …
Obscured last week amidst the tumultuous passage of tax reform, Congress urged the Drug Enforcement Administration (“DEA”) in a bipartisan letter to quickly update its regulations and guidance on the partial filling of schedule II controlled substance prescriptions. The letter notes that “[l]arge amounts of …
The Drug Enforcement Administration (“DEA”), in response to the nationwide controlled pharmaceutical diversion and abuse crisis, now conducts more frequent regulatory inspections in greater depth to identify registrants who violate the Controlled Substances Act and implementing regulations. In addition to inspecting and auditing manufacturers, distributors, …
“For Americans under the age of 50, drug overdoses are now the leading cause of death.” DOJ, Attorney General Jeff Sessions Delivers Remarks Announcing New Tools to Combat the Opioid Crisis (Nov. 29, 2017) (here). “With evidence suggesting that nearly 80 percent of individuals addicted …
Last month we reported that the Hemp Industries Association (“HIA”) petitioned the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit to block the Drug Enforcement Administration’s (“DEA’s”) implementation of its recent final rule on marijuana extracts. On February 6, 2017, HIA filed another action with …
Representative Morgan Griffith (R-VA) has introduced two bills that would remove federal roadblocks to marihuana and cannabidiol (“CBD”) access by patients for legitimate medical purposes in states that allow such access. (We use the spelling of “marihuana” that appears in the federal Controlled Substances Act …
The Hemp Industries Association has filed a Petition for Review in the Ninth Circuit to block implementation of the Drug Enforcement Administration’s (“DEA’s”) recent final rule on Marijuana extracts. The DEA final rule designates non-psychoactive cannabinoids, including cannabidiol, as “marihuana extract” and adds all cannabinoids, …
The Drug Enforcement Administration (“DEA”) published a final rule on December 30th revising its import and export regulations governing controlled substances, listed chemicals and tableting and encapsulating machines. Revision of Import and Export Requirements for Controlled Substances, Listed Chemicals, and Tableting and Encapsulating Machines, Including …
