A common club drug is now a Schedule I narcotic in the US

The US Drug Enforcement Administration proposes classifying 4-fluoroamphetamine (4-FA) as a Schedule I controlled substance. This means anyone who makes, sells, or possesses the drug will face the same strict penalties as for heroin or LSD.

The US is aligning its drug laws with an international treaty from 1971. This change makes it harder to legally research or use 4-FA, even for medical purposes, because Schedule I drugs are considered to have no accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse. It also means that people who previously used or distributed 4-FA, often found in recreational settings, now face severe criminal penalties.