Synthetic chemicals designed to mimic the effects of controlled drugs (e.g., synthetic cathinones, cannabinoids), subject to rapid identification and inclusion in drug control frameworks to address public health risks.
Foresight tracks New Psychoactive Substances (NPS) developments and surfaces the alerts most likely to matter before they turn into missed deadlines, recalls, or escalation work.
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Last updated
6 May 2026, 19:11
Source-backed regulatory and guidance signals tracked by Foresight, with the newest developments first.
US DEA Establishes Specific Schedule I Listing for Hexahydrocannabinol (HHC)
In May 2026 the US Drug Enforcement Administration formalised a specific Schedule I listing and DEA drug code for hexahydrocannabinol (HHC) under the Controlled Substances Act, without changing its existing status as a Schedule I controlled substance. This technical update clarifies HHC’s treatment for manufacturers and registrants, reinforces that synthetic HHC products remain subject to the strictest federal controls, and supports quota setting and enforcement planning.
United StatesNetherlands IGJ and NVWA Shut Down 43 Websites Selling Illegal New Psychoactive Substances
Dutch regulators IGJ and NVWA have shut down 43 websites illegally selling dangerous new psychoactive substances, highlighting a coordinated enforcement push against online designer drug markets. This step signals tightening scrutiny of NPS supply chains and may foreshadow stronger legal tools and cross-agency action to curb similar online sales channels.
NetherlandsUS DEA Invites Comments on Importer Registration Application for Research Triangle Institute
The US DEA is reviewing an application to import Schedule I and II controlled substances for research purposes with a comment deadline of May 1, 2026. This administrative process underscores federal control over restricted substance movement and allows domestic manufacturers to monitor and potentially challenge new import registrations.
United StatesNetherlands Draft Opium Act Decree to Add Nitazenes Group to List IA and Isotonitazepyne to List I
The Netherlands has proposed adding the nitazene opioid group and isotonitazepyne to its national controlled substance lists to strengthen synthetic drug enforcement. Transitioning to group-based scheduling increases regulatory risk for chemical suppliers and requires immediate compliance audits for entities handling synthetic opioids or precursors.
NetherlandsDenmark Adopts New Controlled Substances Order (BEK 405 of 2026)
Denmark’s updated Executive Order on euphoriant substances entered into force on 29 March 2026 to modernize the control framework for narcotics and psychotropic chemicals. Businesses must audit portfolios against revised substance lists and ensure rigorous compliance with updated tracking, reporting, and security obligations for controlled products.
DenmarkHonduras ARSA Updates Controlled Substances And Precursors List And Strengthens Control Regime
Honduras has updated its list of controlled substances and introduced new import restrictions for specialized manufacturing equipment effective April 2026. Businesses must audit chemical concentrations against new thresholds and update licensing to ensure continued market access and regulatory compliance.
HondurasMaryland HB1523 Engrossed: Enforcement On Unauthorized Tianeptine, Kratom And Phenibut Products
Maryland's House passed legislation granting the Alcohol, Tobacco, and Cannabis Commission broad enforcement and seizure powers over unauthorized consumable products like tianeptine and kratom. Manufacturers and retailers face significant operational risks, including product forfeiture, criminal penalties, and potential business license revocation for non-compliant labeling or marketing.
United StatesUS DEA Places 3-Methoxyphencyclidine in Schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act
The US DEA has finalized the placement of 3-methoxyphencyclidine into Schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act, effective April 22, 2026. This designation imposes the strictest federal controls on all supply chain activities, requiring immediate registration or stock disposal to mitigate significant legal and operational risks.
United StatesSouth Carolina Bill S1039 Would Add Substituted Tryptamines to Schedule I Controlled Substances
South Carolina introduced legislation in March 2026 to expand its Schedule I controlled substances list by adding a broad category of substituted tryptamines. If enacted, this would criminalize the possession and distribution of numerous psychedelic analogues, requiring immediate portfolio reviews for research, pharmaceutical, or chemical supply operations in the state.
United StatesU.S. Congress Introduces STOP Nitazenes Act (H.R. 7970)
The U.S. House introduced legislation in March 2026 to permanently classify the nitazene class of opioids as Schedule I controlled substances. This shift toward broad-class federal restrictions signals a permanent prohibition on commercial use and necessitates immediate review of supply chain exposure to these substances.
United StatesSwitzerland (FDHA) Prohibits Further Designer Drugs Under Narcotics List Ordinance (NarcLO-FDHA)
Switzerland expanded its Narcotics List Ordinance in March 2026, prohibiting the manufacture and trade of several new designer drugs and psychoactive substance groups. This update necessitates immediate portfolio audits to ensure compliance with strict narcotics controls and to mitigate significant legal and operational risks.
SwitzerlandUN Commission on Narcotic Drugs Issues Draft Report Addendum on Synthetic Drugs and Access to Controlled Medicines (CND 69th Session)
The UN Commission on Narcotic Drugs has identified nitazenes, orphines, and designer precursors as priority targets for future international scheduling and control. Manufacturers should anticipate tighter global restrictions on these synthetic substance classes and increased monitoring of non-scheduled chemical precursors in supply chains.
GlobalUS DEA Temporarily Places Bromazolam in Schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act
The US DEA has temporarily placed Bromazolam in Schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act, effective March 16, 2026. This designation triggers the most stringent regulatory controls, requiring immediate updates to security, registration, and recordkeeping protocols for all handlers to mitigate significant legal and operational risks.
United StatesUN CND Circulates Revised Draft Resolution on Early Warning for New Synthetic Drugs and Precursors
The UN Commission on Narcotic Drugs is advancing a resolution to strengthen global early-warning systems for new synthetic drugs and chemical precursors. This signals an acceleration in international scheduling efforts, requiring businesses to monitor emerging precursor controls that could impact chemical supply chains.
GlobalJapan Proposes Designating Four Substances as Shitei Yakubutsu Under PMD Act
Japan is designating four new psychoactive substances as Shitei Yakubutsu under the PMD Act with enforcement beginning March 2026. This action prohibits the manufacture, import, and sale of these substances, necessitating immediate inventory reviews to mitigate compliance and market access risks.
JapanJapan MHLW Partially Amends Ordinance on Designated Drugs and Medical Uses Under PMD Act
Japan has expanded the list of designated drugs and restricted medical uses under the Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Act as of March 2026. Companies must immediately audit product portfolios against the updated substance list to ensure compliance with new distribution and handling restrictions.
JapanUN Commission on Narcotic Drugs Schedules Three New Psychoactive Substances at 69th Session
The UN Commission on Narcotic Drugs has added three new psychoactive substances to international control lists during its 69th session. Manufacturers should anticipate mandatory updates to national controlled-substances regulations and a strategic overhaul of the global drug control framework by 2029.
SloveniaGlobalMissouri Finalises Update To Schedules Of Controlled Substances (19 CSR 30-1.002)
Missouri has finalized updates to its controlled substance schedules effective April 30, 2026, formalizing the alignment of state regulations with earlier proposals. Stakeholders should anticipate further rulemakings to bridge the current gap between state and federal scheduling for specific opioids and synthetic stimulants.
United StatesBavarian Police Warn of Dangerous Synthetic-Cannabinoid E-Liquids 'Zombie-Liquid', 'Baller-Liquid' and 'Görke'
Bavarian authorities have launched an enforcement campaign against e-liquids containing synthetic cannabinoids marketed as research chemicals. Businesses in the vaping and chemical supply chains must ensure strict compliance with narcotics laws to mitigate criminal liability and prevent illicit product diversion.
GermanyUN CND Issues WHO Proposed Scheduling Recommendations for Controlled Substances (E/CN.7/2026/CRP.3)
The UN Commission on Narcotic Drugs has released WHO recommendations to update international control schedules for several substances. This development signals a likely tightening of national drug control lists, requiring businesses to review supply chain security and cross-border licensing compliance.
GlobalThese are just a few of the most recent New Psychoactive Substances (NPS) alerts. Foresight tracks every jurisdiction, every day — and surfaces only what affects your portfolio, with full citations and evidence.
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Definition
Synthetic chemicals designed to mimic the effects of controlled drugs (e.g., synthetic cathinones, cannabinoids), subject to rapid identification and inclusion in drug control frameworks to address public health risks.
Industry relevance
New Psychoactive Substances (NPS) developments can change product scope, supplier expectations, market access, reporting duties, and risk ownership. Foresight tracks the signals early so teams can respond before obligations become urgent.
Foresight tracking
Foresight monitors official sources, extracts structured regulatory intelligence, and maps alerts to a customer's products, substances, markets, and priorities so teams see the relevant signal with source evidence for review.
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