Controlled Substances Act

December 22, 2025 | Controlled Substances Act, Fact Sheets, Hemp

On November 12, 2025, President Trump signed the Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act of 2026 (Extensions Act), a funding package which in part, closed what lawmakers have referred to as the “hemp loophole” created by the 2018 Farm Bill. By narrowing the federal definition of hemp and identifying specific exclusions to the definition, the supporters of this measure believe that the change will protect public health. The hemp industry, however, is concerned that the change will destroy their operations. With the change to the federal hemp definition set to go into effect on November 12, 2026, various stakeholders are now attempting to find a common ground solution to the issue that addresses both public health concerns around hemp and hemp-derived products and the business concerns of the hemp industry....

December 22, 2025 | Controlled Substances Act, Fact Sheets, Psychedelics, Substance Misuse

Psilocybin is a chemical compound produced by more than 100 species of mushrooms, many of which belong to the genus Psilocybe, found growing around the world. Various indigenous cultures have consumed psilocybin-containing mushrooms for medical purposes and as part of spiritual ceremonies for thousands of years. In 1970, Congress enacted the Controlled Substances Act (CSA) and categorized psilocybin and other psychedelic substances as Schedule I controlled substances, which effectively stopped the research into the therapeutic effects of psilocybin for several decades. Today, psilocybin remains a Schedule I controlled substance at the federal level and it is also classified as a Schedule I controlled substance in 47 states and the District of Columbia. Despite the continued challenges of researching Schedule I controlled substances, the 21st century has brought forth a renewed interest in investigating the therapeutic potential of psilocybin....