Controlled Substances Act Clarification in Sciences Act of 2026
- Bill Number
- H.R. 9186
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Policy Area
- Health
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-06-08: Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- Last Updated
- 2026-06-25T16:43:03Z
AI-Generated Summary
Controlled Substances Act Clarification in Sciences Act of 2026 (H.R. 9186)
Purpose
This legislation amends the Controlled Substances Act to update its language and processes with current medical and scientific standards. It aims to refine how substances are evaluated and scheduled while balancing public health protections with access to legitimate medical uses.
Key Provisions
- New Definitions Added to Section 102: The bill introduces nine new terms, including:
- Accepted medical use: Covers uses approved under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, scientific research, or recognized medical practices in jurisdictions with evidence-based support.
- Dependence liability: Refers to the propensity for physical or psychological dependence.
- Physical dependence: A physiological adaptation leading to withdrawal symptoms upon discontinuation.
- Psychological dependence: Involves rewarding effects or distress that drive compulsive use.
- Lack of accepted safety: Occurs when risks of death or irreversible harm outweigh benefits under medical supervision.
- Abuse: Intentional use leading to a substance use disorder.
- Potential for abuse: Likelihood of resulting in abuse.
- Misuse: Use not intended for human consumption or not following practitioner directions or labeling.
- Potential benefits to society: Any medical, scientific, or other uses that may improve public health or quality of life.
- Clarification on Scheduling Roles in Section 201(a): The Attorney General must defer to the Secretary of Health and Human Services' scientific and medical evaluation. Scheduling decisions require controls that protect public health and safety while preserving access for accepted medical uses and recognizing societal benefits.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Expands and modernizes definitions in the Controlled Substances Act, replacing or clarifying older, less precise terms related to medical use, safety, and dependence.
- Shifts emphasis in the scheduling process by mandating deference to medical expertise and requiring consideration of medical access and societal benefits alongside abuse risks.
Potential Impacts
- Government Agencies: Requires the Department of Justice (via the Attorney General) to align more closely with Health and Human Services evaluations, potentially streamlining or altering scheduling decisions by agencies like the Drug Enforcement Administration.
- Citizens: May influence access to substances for medical or research purposes by incorporating broader criteria for accepted use.
- International Relations: No direct provisions affect foreign policy or treaties, though updated definitions could indirectly inform U.S. positions in global drug control discussions.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Federal agencies, including the Department of Justice, Drug Enforcement Administration, and Department of Health and Human Services.
- Health care practitioners and medical regulators.
- Patients and researchers seeking access to controlled substances.
- Pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries involved in drug development.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Enhances the role of scientific and medical evaluations in administrative decisions, potentially reducing disputes over scheduling authority between agencies.
- Introduces concepts like jurisdiction-specific medical recognition, which could lead to varied application across states without altering federal preemption.
- Focuses on evidence-based methodologies, which may affect future challenges to scheduling under administrative law standards.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Recent Actions
- 2026-06-08: Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- 2026-06-08: Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- 2026-06-08: Introduced in House
- 2026-06-08: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Controlled Substances Act Clarification in Sciences Act of 2026 — issued 2026-06-08 — PDF (5 pages)