The butane hash oil (BHO) phenomenon has resulted in a new request from the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) to create a new drug code for marijuana extracts. At a time when support for recreational marijuana legalization and medical marijuana legalization is at an all time high, the DEA feels the need to step up the war on marijuana. So much for the will of the people.

Per the United States Federal Register:

The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) is proposing to create a new Administration Controlled Substances Code Number (“Code Number” or “drug code”) under 21 CFR 1308.11 for “Marihuana Extract.” This Code Number will allow DEA and DEA-registered entities to track quantities of this material separately from quantities of marihuana. This in turn will aid in complying with relevant treaty provisions.

Under international drug control treaties (administered by the United Nations), some differences exist between the regulatory controls pertaining to marihuana extract versus those for marihuana and tetrahydrocannabinols. DEA has established separate Code Numbers for marihuana and for tetrahydrocannabinols, but not for marihuana extract. To better track these materials and better comply with treaty provisions, DEA is proposing to create a separate Code Number for marihuana extract under 21 CFR 1308.11(d)(36): “Marihuana Extract meaning extracts that have been derived from any plant of the genus cannabis and which contain cannabinols and cannabidiols.” Such extracts of marihuana would continue to be treated as schedule I controlled substances.

You should contact your federal representatives and senators to let them know that this is a waste of time. We should be dismantling the United States drug code, not expanding it. I dream of a day when the DEA no longer gets funding. It’s on my bucket list.