2020-08332. Bulk Manufacturer of Controlled Substances Application: Bulk Manufacturer of Marihuana: Absolute Standards, Inc.

ACTION:

Notice of application.

SUMMARY:

The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) is providing notice of an application it has received from an entity applying to be registered to manufacture in bulk basic class(es) of controlled substances listed in schedule I. DEA intends to evaluate this and other pending applications according to proposed regulations that, if finalized, would govern the program of growing marihuana for scientific and medical research under DEA registration.

DATES:

Registered bulk manufacturers of the affected basic class(es), and applicants therefor, may file written comments on or objections to the issuance of the proposed registration on or before June 19, 2020.

ADDRESSES:

Written comments should be sent to: Drug Enforcement Administration, Attention: DEA Federal Register Representative/DPW, 8701 Morrissette Drive, Springfield, Virginia 22152. To ensure proper handling of comments, please reference Docket No. DEA-627 in all correspondence, including attachments.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

The Controlled Substances Act (CSA) prohibits the cultivation and distribution of marihuana except by persons who are registered under the CSA to do so for lawful purposes. In accordance with the purposes specified in 21 CFR 1301.33(a), DEA is providing notice that the entity identified below has applied for registration as a bulk manufacturer of schedule I controlled substances. In response, registered bulk manufacturers of the affected basic class(es), and applicants therefor, may file written comments on or objections of the requested registration, as provided in this notice. This notice does not constitute any evaluation or determination of the merits of the application submitted.

The applicant plans to manufacture bulk active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) for product development and distribution to DEA registered researchers. If its application for registration is granted, the registrant would not be authorized to conduct other activity under this registration aside from those coincident activities specifically authorized by DEA regulations. DEA will evaluate the application for registration as a bulk manufacturer for compliance with all applicable laws, treaties, and regulations and to ensure adequate safeguards against diversion are in place.

As this applicant has applied to become registered as a bulk manufacturer of marihuana, the application will be evaluated under the criteria of 21 U.S.C. 823(a). DEA proposes to conduct this evaluation in the manner described in the rule proposed at 85 FR 16292, published on March 23, 2020, if finalized.

In accordance with 21 CFR 1301.33(a), DEA is providing notice that on February 7, 2020, Absolute Standards, Inc., 44 Rossotto Drive Hamden, Connecticut 06514, applied to be registered as a bulk manufacturer of the following basic class(es) of controlled substances:

Controlled substance	Drug code	Schedule
Marihuana	7360	I
Marihuana Extract	7350	I
Tetrahydrocannabinols	7370	I

The applicant noticed above applied to become registered with DEA to grow marihuana as a bulk manufacturer subsequent to a 2016 DEA policy statement that provided information on how it intended to expand the number of registrations, and described in general terms the way it would oversee those additional growers. In order to complete the evaluation and registration process for applicants to grow marihuana, DEA has proposed regulations that, if finalized, would supersede the 2016 policy statement and govern persons seeking to become registered with DEA to grow marihuana as a bulk manufacturer, consistent with applicable law. The proposed regulations are available at 85 FR 16292.

William T. McDermott,

Assistant Administrator.