Poppers (alkyl nitrites): Federal Status (2026)

Instrument

Schedule I -- specific listing for hexahydrocannabinol (HHC), DEA drug code 7220 (91 FR 23913, final rule)

Source

https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2026-05-04/pdf/2026-08595.pdf

Retrieved

2026-07-19

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SUMMARY: The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) is establishing a specific listing and DEA Controlled Substances Code Number (drug code) for 6,6,9-trimethyl-3-pentyl-6a,7,8,9,10,10a-hexahydro-6H-benzo[c]chromen-1-ol (also known as hexahydrocannabinol, and HHC) in schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act (CSA). Although hexahydrocannabinol is not specifically listed in schedule I of the CSA with its own unique drug code, it is a schedule I controlled substances in the United States under drug code 7370 because it meets the definition of tetrahydrocannabinols, a schedule I hallucinogen. Therefore, DEA is simply amending the schedule I hallucinogenic substances list to separately include hexahydrocannabinol. DATES: Effective May 4, 2026. HEXAHYDROCANNABINOL CONTROL: Hexahydrocannabinol (also known as 6,6,9-trimethyl-3-pentyl-6a,7,8,9,10,10a-hexahydro-6H-benzo[c]chromen-1-ol, and HHC) is a synthetic substance that is structurally related to tetrahydrocannabinols. Hexahydrocannabinol is currently controlled in schedule I as a tetrahydrocannabinol. The Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 (AIA), Public Law 115-334, amended the CSA to remove "tetrahydrocannabinols in hemp" from control. Importantly, the AIA defined the term "hemp" to mean "the plant Cannabis sativa L. and any part of that plant, including the seeds thereof and all derivatives, extracts, cannabinoids, isomers, acids, salts, and salts of isomers, whether growing or not, with a delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol concentration of not more than 0.3 percent on a dry weight basis.“ Thus, only tetrahydrocannabinols in or derived from the cannabis plant -- not synthetic tetrahydrocannabinols -- are excluded from control as ”tetrahydrocannabinols in hemp." To clarify further, tetrahydrocannabinols produced through chemical conversion, even when hemp derived are considered synthetically produced for purposes of the CSA, do not qualify as "tetrahydrocannabinols in hemp" under the AIA. LEGAL AUTHORITY: This rule is prompted by a letter dated June 9, 2025, in which the Secretariat of the United Nations informed the United States government that hexahydrocannabinol had been added to Schedule II of the United Nations Convention on Psychotropic Substances of 1971 (1971 Convention), February 21, 1971, 32 U.S.T. 543, 1019 U.N.T.S. 175, as amended. This letter was provoked by a decision at the 68th Session of the Commission on Narcotic Drugs (CND) in March 2025 to schedule hexahydrocannabinol under Schedule II of the 1971 Convention (CND Decision 68/5). After receiving official notice of this decision, DEA sent a letter to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) dated October 9, 2025, outlining its intention to specifically list hexahydrocannabinol in schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act (CSA) pursuant to treaty obligations. HHS responded in a letter dated December 3, 2025, that there are no approved new drug applications or investigational new drug applications for hexahydrocannabinol. In addition, HHS concurs with the direct listing and drug code assignment of hexahydrocannabinol in the CSA. As discussed above, hexahydrocannabinol -- by meeting the definition of “tetrahydrocannabinols” and being synthetically produced -- has been controlled in schedule I of the CSA. Therefore, all regulations and criminal sanctions applicable to schedule I substances have been and remain applicable to hexahydrocannabinol. Drugs controlled in schedule I of the CSA satisfy and exceed the required controls of Schedule II under Article 2 of the 1971 Convention. EFFECT OF ACTION: As previously stated, this rule does not affect the continuing status of hexahydrocannabinol as a schedule I controlled substance in any way. This action, as an administrative matter, establishes a separate, specific listing for hexahydrocannabinol in schedule I of the CSA and assigns a DEA drug code for this substance. This action will allow DEA to establish an aggregate production quota and grant individual manufacturing and procurement quotas to DEA-registered manufacturers of hexahydrocannabinol, who had previously been granted individual quotas for such purposes under the drug code for tetrahydrocannabinols. AMENDMENT: For the reasons set out above, DEA amends 21 CFR part 1308 as follows: PART 1308 -- SCHEDULES OF CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES. 1. The authority citation for part 1308 continues to read as follows: Authority: 21 U.S.C. 811, 812, 871(b), 956(b), unless otherwise noted. 2. Amend Sec. 1308.11 by adding paragraph (d)(115) to read as follows: Sec. 1308.11 Schedule I. (d)(115) 6,6,9-trimethyl-3-pentyl-6a,7,8,9,10,10a-hexahydro-6H-benzo[c]chromen-1-ol (other names: hexahydrocannabinol, HHC) -- drug code 7220.

Instrument

Schedule I hallucinogenic substances - the tetrahydrocannabinols class listing (DEA drug code 7370), with the paragraph (d) isomer chapeau and the express 7 U.S.C. 1639o hemp exclusion at (d)(31)(ii)

Source

https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-21/section-1308.11

Retrieved

2026-07-25

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(d) Hallucinogenic substances. Unless specifically excepted or unless listed in another schedule, any material, compound, mixture, or preparation, which contains any quantity of the following hallucinogenic substances, or which contains any of its salts, isomers, and salts of isomers whenever the existence of such salts, isomers, and salts of isomers is possible within the specific chemical designation (for purposes of this paragraph only, the term "isomer" includes the optical, position and geometric isomers):
(31) Tetrahydrocannabinols | 7370
(i) Meaning tetrahydrocannabinols, except as in paragraph (d)(31)(ii) of this section, naturally contained in a plant of the genus Cannabis (cannabis plant), as well as synthetic equivalents of the substances contained in the cannabis plant, or in the resinous extractives of such plant, and/or synthetic substances, derivatives, and their isomers with similar chemical structure and pharmacological activity to those substances contained in the plant, such as the following:
1 cis or trans tetrahydrocannabinol, and their optical isomers
6 cis or trans tetrahydrocannabinol, and their optical isomers
3, 4 cis or trans tetrahydrocannabinol, and its optical isomers
(Since nomenclature of these substances is not internationally standardized, compounds of these structures, regardless of numerical designation of atomic positions covered.)
(ii) Tetrahydrocannabinols does not include any material, compound, mixture, or preparation that falls within the definition of hemp set forth in 7 U.S.C. 1639o.

Instrument

Schedule III depressants (ketamine at (c)(7), drug code 7285)

Source

https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-21/section-1308.13

Retrieved

2026-10-31

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(c) Depressants. Unless specifically excepted or unless listed in another schedule, any material, compound, mixture, or preparation which contains any quantity of the following substances having a depressant effect on the central nervous system:

(1) Any compound, mixture or preparation containing:

(i) Amobarbital 2126

(ii) Secobarbital 2316

(iii) Pentobarbital 2271

or any salt thereof and one or more other active medicinal ingredients which are not listed in any schedule.

(2) Any suppository dosage form containing:

(i) Amobarbital 2126

(ii) Secobarbital 2316

(iii) Pentobarbital 2271

or any salt of any of these drugs and approved by the Food and Drug Administration for marketing only as a suppository.

(3) Any substance which contains any quantity of a derivative of barbituric acid or any salt thereof 2100

(4) Chlorhexadol 2510

(5) Embutramide 2020

(6) Any drug product containing gamma hydroxybutyric acid, including its salts, isomers, and salts of isomers, for which an application is approved under section 505 of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act 2012

(7) Ketamine, its salts, isomers, and salts of isomers 7285

[Some other names for ketamine: (±)-2-(2-chlorophenyl)-2-(methylamino)-cyclohexanone]

(8) Lysergic acid 7300

(9) Lysergic acid amide 7310

(10) Methyprylon 2575

(11) Perampanel, and its salts, isomers, and salts of isomers 2261

(12) Sulfondiethylmethane 2600

(13) Sulfonethylmethane 2605

(14) Sulfonmethane 2610

(15) Tiletamine and zolazepam or any salt thereof 7295

Some trade or other names for a tiletamine-zolazepam combination product:

Telazol

Some trade or other names for tiletamine:

2-(ethylamino)-2-(2-thienyl)-cyclohexanone

Some trade or other names for zolazepam:

4-(2-fluorophenyl)-6,8-dihydro-1,3,8-trimethylpyrazolo-[3,4-e] [1,4]-diazepin-7(1H)-one, flupyrazapon

Instrument

Nitrous oxide (direct food substance affirmed as GRAS)

Source

https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-21/section-184.1545

Retrieved

2026-10-31

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§ 184.1545 Nitrous oxide.

(a) Nitrous oxide (empirical formula N2O, CAS Reg. No. 10024-97-2) is also known as dinitrogen monoxide or laughing gas. It is a colorless gas, about 50 percent heavier than air, with a slightly sweet smell. It does not burn but will support combustion. Nitrous oxide is manufactured by the thermal decomposition of ammonium nitrate. Higher oxides of nitrogen are removed by passing the dry gas through a series of scrubbing towers.

(b) The ingredient must be of a purity suitable for its intended use.

(c) In accordance with § 184.1(b)(1), the ingredient is used in food with no limitations other than current good manufacturing practice. The affirmation of this ingredient as generally recognized as safe (GRAS) as a direct human food ingredient is based upon the following current good manufacturing practice conditions of use:

(1) The ingredient is used as a propellant, aerating agent, and gas as defined in § 170.3(o)(25) of this chapter.

(2) The ingredient is used in dairy product analogs as defined in § 170.3(n)(10) of this chapter at levels not to exceed current good manufacturing practice.

(d) Prior sanctions for this ingredient different from the uses established in this section do not exist or have been waived.

Instrument

Dietary supplement definition; adulterated dietary supplement or ingredient (safety)

Source

https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/USCODE-2024-title21/html/USCODE-2024-title21-chap9.htm

Retrieved

2026-10-28

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(ff) The term "dietary supplement"—

(1) means a product (other than tobacco) intended to supplement the diet that bears or contains one or more of the following dietary ingredients:

(A) a vitamin;

(B) a mineral;

(C) an herb or other botanical;

(D) an amino acid;

(E) a dietary substance for use by man to supplement the diet by increasing the total dietary intake; or

(F) a concentrate, metabolite, constituent, extract, or combination of any ingredient described in clause (A), (B), (C), (D), or (E);

(2) means a product that—

(A)(i) is intended for ingestion in a form described in section 350(c)(1)(B)(i) of this title; or

(ii) complies with section 350(c)(1)(B)(ii) of this title;

(B) is not represented for use as a conventional food or as a sole item of a meal or the diet; and

(C) is labeled as a dietary supplement; and

(3) does—

(A) include an article that is approved as a new drug under section 355 of this title or licensed as a biologic under section 262 of title 42 and was, prior to such approval, certification, or license, marketed as a dietary supplement or as a food unless the Secretary has issued a regulation, after notice and comment, finding that the article, when used as or in a dietary supplement under the conditions of use and dosages set forth in the labeling for such dietary supplement, is unlawful under section 342(f) of this title; and

(B) not include—

(i) an article that is approved as a new drug under section 355 of this title, certified as an antibiotic under section 357 of this title, or licensed as a biologic under section 262 of title 42, or

(ii) an article authorized for investigation as a new drug, antibiotic, or biological for which substantial clinical investigations have been instituted and for which the existence of such investigations has been made public,

which was not before such approval, certification, licensing, or authorization marketed as a dietary supplement or as a food unless the Secretary, in the Secretary’s discretion, has issued a regulation, after notice and comment, finding that the article would be lawful under this chapter.
3

Except for purposes of paragraph (g) and section 350f of this title, a dietary supplement shall be deemed to be a food within the meaning of this chapter.

(f) Dietary supplement or ingredient: safety

(1) If it is a dietary supplement or contains a dietary ingredient that—

(A) presents a significant or unreasonable risk of illness or injury under—

(i) conditions of use recommended or suggested in labeling, or

(ii) if no conditions of use are suggested or recommended in the labeling, under ordinary conditions of use;

(B) is a new dietary ingredient for which there is inadequate information to provide reasonable assurance that such ingredient does not present a significant or unreasonable risk of illness or injury;

(C) the Secretary declares to pose an imminent hazard to public health or safety, except that the authority to make such declaration shall not be delegated and the Secretary shall promptly after such a declaration initiate a proceeding in accordance with sections 554 and 556 of title 5 to affirm or withdraw the declaration; or

(D) is or contains a dietary ingredient that renders it adulterated under paragraph (a)(1) under the conditions of use recommended or suggested in the labeling of such dietary supplement.

In any proceeding under this subparagraph, the United States shall bear the burden of proof on each element to show that a dietary supplement is adulterated. The court shall decide any issue under this paragraph on a de novo basis.

(2) Before the Secretary may report to a United States attorney a violation of paragraph 
2
 (1)(A) for a civil proceeding, the person against whom such proceeding would be initiated shall be given appropriate notice and the opportunity to present views, orally and in writing, at least 10 days before such notice, with regard to such proceeding.

Instrument

Adulterated food

Source

https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/USCODE-2023-title21/html/USCODE-2023-title21-chap9-subchapIV-sec342.htm

Retrieved

2026-10-29

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A food shall be deemed to be adulterated—

(a) Poisonous, insanitary, etc., ingredients

(1) If it bears or contains any poisonous or deleterious substance which may render it injurious to health; but in case the substance is not an added substance such food shall not be considered adulterated under this clause if the quantity of such substance in such food does not ordinarily render it injurious to health.
1
 (2)(A) if it bears or contains any added poisonous or added deleterious substance (other than a substance that is a pesticide chemical residue in or on a raw agricultural commodity or processed
food, a food additive, a color additive, or a new animal drug) that is unsafe within the meaning of section 346 of this title; or (B) if it bears or contains a pesticide chemical residue that is unsafe within the meaning of section 346a(a) of this title; or (C) if it is or if it bears or contains (i) any food additive that is unsafe within the meaning of section 348 of this title; or (ii) a new animal drug (or conversion product thereof) that is unsafe within the meaning of section 360b of this title;

Instrument

Controlled substance analogue -- definition (802(32)) and treatment (813)

Source

https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title21-section813&num=0&edition=prelim

Retrieved

2026-07-20

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21 U.S.C. 802(32):
(32)(A) Except as provided in subparagraph (C), the term "controlled substance analogue" means a substance-
(i) the chemical structure of which is substantially similar to the chemical structure of a controlled substance in schedule I or II;
(ii) which has a stimulant, depressant, or hallucinogenic effect on the central nervous system that is substantially similar to or greater than the stimulant, depressant, or hallucinogenic effect on the central nervous system of a controlled substance in schedule I or II; or
(iii) with respect to a particular person, which such person represents or intends to have a stimulant, depressant, or hallucinogenic effect on the central nervous system that is substantially similar to or greater than the stimulant, depressant, or hallucinogenic effect on the central nervous system of a controlled substance in schedule I or II.
(B) The designation of gamma butyrolactone or any other chemical as a listed chemical pursuant to paragraph (34) or (35) does not preclude a finding pursuant to subparagraph (A) of this paragraph that the chemical is a controlled substance analogue.
(C) Such term does not include-
(i) a controlled substance;
(ii) any substance for which there is an approved new drug application;
(iii) with respect to a particular person any substance, if an exemption is in effect for investigational use, for that person, under section 355 of this title to the extent conduct with respect to such substance is pursuant to such exemption; or
(iv) any substance to the extent not intended for human consumption before such an exemption takes effect with respect to that substance.

21 U.S.C. 813. Treatment of controlled substance analogues:
(a) In general
A controlled substance analogue shall, to the extent intended for human consumption, be treated, for the purposes of any Federal law as a controlled substance in schedule I.
(b) Determination
In determining whether a controlled substance analogue was intended for human consumption under subsection (a), the following factors may be considered, along with any other relevant factors:
(1) The marketing, advertising, and labeling of the substance.
(2) The known efficacy or usefulness of the substance for the marketed, advertised, or labeled purpose.
(3) The difference between the price at which the substance is sold and the price at which the substance it is purported to be or advertised as is normally sold.
(4) The diversion of the substance from legitimate channels and the clandestine importation, manufacture, or distribution of the substance.
(5) Whether the defendant knew or should have known the substance was intended to be consumed by injection, inhalation, ingestion, or any other immediate means.
(6) Any controlled substance analogue that is manufactured, formulated, sold, distributed, or marketed with the intent to avoid the provisions of existing drug laws.
(c) Limitation
For purposes of this section, evidence that a substance was not marketed, advertised, or labeled for human consumption, by itself, shall not be sufficient to establish that the substance was not intended for human consumption.

Instrument

Controlled substance analogue: definition (802(32)) and treatment (813)

Source

https://uscode.house.gov/us/usc/119-136/t21/s813/

Retrieved

2026-11-06

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(32) (A)  Except as provided in subparagraph (C), the term "controlled substance analogue" means a substance⁠—
(i)  the chemical structure of which is substantially similar to the chemical structure of a controlled substance in schedule I or II;
(ii)  which has a stimulant, depressant, or hallucinogenic effect on the central nervous system that is substantially similar to or greater than the stimulant, depressant, or hallucinogenic effect on the central nervous system of a controlled substance in schedule I or II; or
(iii)  with respect to a particular person, which such person represents or intends to have a stimulant, depressant, or hallucinogenic effect on the central nervous system that is substantially similar to or greater than the stimulant, depressant, or hallucinogenic effect on the central nervous system of a controlled substance in schedule I or II.
(B)  The designation of gamma butyrolactone or any other chemical as a listed chemical pursuant to paragraph (34) or (35) does not preclude a finding pursuant to subparagraph (A) of this paragraph that the chemical is a controlled substance analogue.
(C)  Such term does not include⁠—
(i)  a controlled substance;
(ii)  any substance for which there is an approved new drug application;
(iii)  with respect to a particular person any substance, if an exemption is in effect for investigational use, for that person, under section 355 of this title to the extent conduct with respect to such substance is pursuant to such exemption; or
(iv)  any substance to the extent not intended for human consumption before such an exemption takes effect with respect to that substance.

§813. Treatment of controlled substance analogues
(a) 
 In general
A controlled substance analogue shall, to the extent intended for human consumption, be treated, for the purposes of any Federal law as a controlled substance in schedule I.

(b) 
 Determination
In determining whether a controlled substance analogue was intended for human consumption under subsection (a), the following factors may be considered, along with any other relevant factors:
(1)  The marketing, advertising, and labeling of the substance.
(2)  The known efficacy or usefulness of the substance for the marketed, advertised, or labeled purpose.
(3)  The difference between the price at which the substance is sold and the price at which the substance it is purported to be or advertised as is normally sold.
(4)  The diversion of the substance from legitimate channels and the clandestine importation, manufacture, or distribution of the substance.
(5)  Whether the defendant knew or should have known the substance was intended to be consumed by injection, inhalation, ingestion, or any other immediate means.
(6)  Any controlled substance analogue that is manufactured, formulated, sold, distributed, or marketed with the intent to avoid the provisions of existing drug laws.
(c) 
 Limitation
For purposes of this section, evidence that a substance was not marketed, advertised, or labeled for human consumption, by itself, shall not be sufficient to establish that the substance was not intended for human consumption.

Instrument

Treatment of controlled substance analogues

Source

https://uscode.house.gov/us/usc/119-136/t21/s813/

Retrieved

2026-11-01

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(a) In general

A controlled substance analogue shall, to the extent intended for human consumption, be treated, for the purposes of any Federal law as a controlled substance in schedule I.

(b) Determination

In determining whether a controlled substance analogue was intended for human consumption under subsection (a), the following factors may be considered, along with any other relevant factors:

(1) The marketing, advertising, and labeling of the substance.

(2) The known efficacy or usefulness of the substance for the marketed, advertised, or labeled purpose.

(3) The difference between the price at which the substance is sold and the price at which the substance it is purported to be or advertised as is normally sold.

(4) The diversion of the substance from legitimate channels and the clandestine importation, manufacture, or distribution of the substance.

(5) Whether the defendant knew or should have known the substance was intended to be consumed by injection, inhalation, ingestion, or any other immediate means.

(6) Any controlled substance analogue that is manufactured, formulated, sold, distributed, or marketed with the intent to avoid the provisions of existing drug laws.

(c) Limitation

For purposes of this section, evidence that a substance was not marketed, advertised, or labeled for human consumption, by itself, shall not be sufficient to establish that the substance was not intended for human consumption.