Office of the Deputy Administrator 

Howard K. Koh, M.D., M.P.H. 

Assistant Secretary for Health 

Department of Health and Human Services 

200 Independence Avenue, S.W. 

Washington, D.C. 20201 

Dear Dr. Koh: 

U.S. Department of Justice 

Drug Enforcement Administration 

Springfield, Va 22152 

SEP 0 3 2013 

This letter serves as notification to the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human 

Services (Secretary) of my intention to publish an order in the Federal Register temporarily 

placing 2-( 4-iodo-2,5-dimethoxyphenyl)-N-(2-methoxybenzyl)ethanamine (25I-NBOMe ), 2-( 4-

chloro-2,5-dimethoxypheny l)-N-(2-methoxybenzyl )ethanamine (25C-NBOMe ), and 2-( 4-bromo2,5-dimethoxyphenyl )-N-(2-methoxybenzyl )ethanamine (25B-NB0Me) into schedule I of the 

Controlled Substances Act (CSA) pursuant to the temporary scheduling provision of the CSA 

(Title 21, United States Code, Section 811 (h) (21 U.S.C. § 811 (h)). 

These three synthetic phenethylamines are available for purchase over the Internet and 

through illicit channels, packaged as powders, liquid formulations, on blotter paper, and in 

adulterated food items. Reports indicate these substances are often purported to be, and are 

mistaken for LSD, extracts of psilocybin mushrooms, and other, less potent 2-C compounds. 

Based on reports from law enforcement encounters, the prevalence of these substances is 

increasing at an alarming rate. In 2011, the National Forensic Laboratory Information System 

(NFLIS) received 10 reports of analyzed seizures of25I-NBOMe. In 2012, there were a total of 

448 reports to NFLIS for 25I-NBOMe, 25C-NBOMe, and 25B-NBOMe. For the first three 

months of 2013, there are already 231 reports to NFLIS, more than double the number of 

analyzed seizures of LSD reported in the same time period. 

The abuse of these substances has resulted in emergency department admissions and the 

deaths of numerous individuals. A number of case studies detail various adverse health effects 

observed for laboratory confirmed 251-NBOMe exposure, namely, tachycardia, hypertension, 

agitation, aggression, visual and auditory hallucinations, seizures, hyperpyrexia, clonus, elevated 

white cell count, elevated creatine kinase, metabolic acidosis, rhabdomyolysis, and acute kidney 

injury. One case described an individual that was hospitalized for 43 days following a single 

intravenous 25I-NBOMe exposure. Reports from medical examiners and toxicological analysis 

of postmortem samples have identified one or more of these three substances in 14 decedents 

from 11 states. Reports from media and law enforcement suggest that these substances may be 

involved in a number of additional fatalities where laboratory confirmation is not yet available. 
Howard K. Koh, M.D., M.P.H. Page 2 

In accordance with the provisions of 21 U.S.C. § 811 (h), I find that the scheduling of 25IN80Me, 25C-N80Me, and 258-N80Me is necessary to avoid an imminent hazard to the 

public safety. Notification of my intention to temporarily place these substances into Schedule I 

will be published in the Federal Register. I intend to finalize this action with an order in the 

Federal Register as soon as possible after the expiration of 30 days from the date of this 

notification. In accordance with 21 U.S.C. §811 (h)(4), I will take into consideration any 

comments received from the Secretary or her delegate in response to this notice, including 

information as to whether there is an exemption or approval in effect for 25I-N80Me, 25CN80Me, or 258-N80Me under Section 505 of the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act 

(21 U.S.C. § 355). 

Appropriate DEA staff members are available to respond to questions and comments 

regarding this matter. Joseph T. Rannazzisi, Deputy Assistant Administrator, Office of 

Diversion Control, will act as liaison for this exchange of information. He can be reached at 

(202) 307-7165. 

Enclosures 

Sincerely, 

/1--

Thomas M. 

~-H~ ~ 

Deputy Administrator