MDMA Remains a Schedule I Controlled Substance for Now
In Florida, it is not hard to find people who hold unorthodox scientific views or who are generally skeptical of biomedical research. You probably know someone who thinks that common food ingredients are the source of all their physical and emotional discomfort or someone who believes that weed cures every disease that is worth curing. The placebo and nocebo effects are powerful, but in order to convince the federal government to categorize a substance as a medication rather than a vice requires formally conducted studies with transparent methodology. In our lifetime, we have seen medical cannabis programs gain traction in many states, and the federal government even seems open to the idea of removing the dreaded Schedule I controlled substance designation from cannabis. Meanwhile, mental illnesses such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) remain notoriously difficult to treat, and some researchers believe that currently illegal drugs hold as much promise as currently legal ones do. The federal government recently reviewed a clinical trial submitted in support of removing the Schedule I designation from MDMA, but regulators found that the study did not present sufficient proof that the benefits of MDMA outweigh the risks. For the time being, MDMA is an illegal drug, and if you get caught with it, you need a Florida drug offenses attorney.
A Treatment Regimen So Pleasant It Should Be a Crime
MDMA, colloquially known as ecstasy or molly, is a recreational drug prized for its euphoric effects, but it is one of several psychedelic substances being investigated for their potential to treat mental illnesses. A recent clinical trial, used in support of a bid to reschedule MDMA from a totally illegal Schedule I controlled substance to a prescription drug with notable abuse potential, tested the effectiveness of MDMA as part of a treatment regimen for patients with PTSD.
Some patients received an MDMA pill, while others received a placebo, a pill that looked identical but did not contain MDMA; the doctors did not tell the patients which pill they were getting. All of the patients attended counseling sessions for the next several weeks. At the end of 12 weeks, the MDMA patients had fewer PTSD symptoms than the placebo patients, but regulators refused to reschedule MDMA for several reasons. First, most patients figured out which pill they got, because it is easy to feel whether you are rolling on MDMA or just digesting an over-the-counter medication. More importantly, some of the MDMA patients experienced adverse effects, such as heart palpitations or a spike in blood pressure; these effects have also been noted in people who have used MDMA illegally. Before MDMA or any other drug can receive legal approval, researchers must prove that it is safe when taken as directed.
Contact FL Drug Defense Group About Drug Cases
A Central Florida criminal defense lawyer can help you if you are being accused of illegal possession of MDMA. Contact FL Drug Defense Group in Orlando, Florida to discuss your case.
Source:
health.wusf.usf.edu/health-news-florida/2024-06-04/psychedelic-drug-mdma-faces-questions-as-fda-considers-approval-for-ptsd
