Reducing Research Harms: Analysis and Recommendations for Researching Schedule I Substances Under the HALT Fentanyl Act
Journal of Science Policy & Governance July 2, 2026 Alaina M. Jaster, Joseph J. Hennessey, Tanner L. Anderson et al.
Research on Schedule I substances in the United States is heavily restricted by the Controlled Substances Act, creating what is termed Research Harm—the restriction or deterrence of legitimate scientific inquiry due to governmental regulatory controls and criminal prohibitions. Barriers include lengthy DEA registration timelines, inconsistent guidance, and policy confusion, limiting access to substances with therapeutic potential like psilocybin, MDMA, cannabis, and DOI. The 2025 HALT Fentanyl Act introduces procedural improvements such as expedited registration and shared institutional access but leaves key regulatory issues unresolved. Recommended reforms include revising medical utility interpretations, conducting periodic evidence reviews, and establishing a scheduling framework for easier research access.