PT582 – Is the DEA Sabotaging Psychedelic Research? Inside the Push to Schedule DOI and DOC, with Hamilton Morris
Jan 21, 2025
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Hamilton Morris, a renowned chemist, filmmaker, and journalist, dives into the crucial issues surrounding the DEA's attempts to classify DOI and DOC as Schedule I substances. He shares his firsthand experiences from a DEA hearing, exposing the bureaucratic mess that stifles psychedelic research. Morris discusses the safety profiles of these compounds, the frustrating exclusion of expert testimonials in court, and the environmental concerns tied to Sonoran Desert toad venom use. This eye-opening conversation emphasizes the pressing need for improved drug policy and advocacy for scientific progress.
The DEA's push to classify DOI and DOC under Schedule I status illustrates the agency's excessive power and its detrimental impact on psychedelic research.
The collaborative efforts of advocacy groups and experts in challenging the DEA's narrative highlight the growing movement for reform in drug policy and evidence-based regulation.
Deep dives
The DEA's Overreach and Its Consequences
The DEA's attempt to schedule substances like DOI and DOC exemplifies a longstanding pattern of excessive power within the agency, where it both creates and enforces laws. This duality raises concerns about corruption and oversight, as evidenced by the arbitrary classification of certain non-drug substances into the Controlled Substances Act. The case illustrates how the DEA can impose restrictions on compounds with no solid scientific or medical basis for their prohibition, limiting researchers' ability to explore their potential benefits. Critics argue that such prohibitions ultimately hinder scientific understanding and innovation, perpetuating a cycle where prohibition does not effectively address drug-related harms.
Importance of DOI in Psychedelic Research
DOI is highlighted as a critical compound for psychedelic research due to its historical use and established scientific literature, providing a valuable reference point for researchers. This discussion underscores the significant bureaucratic barriers that come with obtaining a Schedule I license, which can deter many scientists from exploring psychedelics further. The complexities involved make it clear that maintaining access to DOI is essential for ongoing research into its therapeutic potential and for comparisons with novel compounds. The loss of DOI would not only disrupt current studies but would also impair future scientific exploration of serotonergic systems.
Expert Witness Challenges and Courtroom Dynamics
The courtroom dynamics revealed systemic challenges, as the DEA's legal team questioned the qualifications of expert witnesses, despite their substantial credentials and experience. The judge's narrow definition of 'expert' often excluded qualified voices from contributing valuable testimony about the safety and utility of DOI. This led to a skewed representation of scientific perspectives, raising ethical concerns about how the hearings were conducted. Witnesses expressed frustrations with the bureaucratic constraints that ultimately overshadowed critical scientific arguments regarding the substances in question.
The Role of Advocacy and Community in Drug Policy
Advocacy groups and passionate researchers played a pivotal role in assembling a knowledgeable defense against the DEA's proposals, highlighting the importance of community engagement in drug policy discourse. The case brought together diverse experts who stood firm against the DEA's narrative, reflecting a growing movement to challenge outdated laws and misinformation surrounding psychedelics. Their collective efforts not only aimed to protect specific substances but also to foster a broader dialogue about the need for reform in drug policy. This coordinated advocacy signals a promising shift toward a more evidence-based approach to the regulation of psychoactive substances.
In this episode, Joe interviews renowned chemist, filmmaker, and journalist, Hamilton Morris.
After originally backing down from its first attempt in 2022, the DEA is once again looking to apply schedule I status to two lesser-known compounds: DOI (2,5-dimethoxy-4-iodoamphetamine) and DOC (2,5-dimethoxy-4-chloroamphetamine). For decades, DOI and DOC have been incredible tools for researchers studying serotonin receptors, showing promise for chronic pain, anxiety, depression, and more.
Originally recorded as a livestream in November, we felt this discussion deserved more attention, as Morris was present during the hearing and saw first-hand the damage that can come from the combination of immense overreach and outdated beliefs.
He talks about:
The bureaucratic mess behind so much of what the DEA doe
The safety profile and research capacity of DOI and DOC and complete lack of data showing recreational us
The DEA’s claim that advocates weren’t expert
The fight to protect the Sonoran Desert toad and more!