What Triggers a DEA Inspection? Key Factors Every Registrant Should Understand
A DEA inspection can feel intimidating, but in most cases, inspections don’t happen “out of the blue.” They’re usually triggered by internally identifiable signals, patterns, or reports that suggest potential risk, noncompliance, or diversion. Understanding what can prompt an inspection allows organizations to spot vulnerabilities early and strengthen their compliance posture before regulators come knocking. […]
DEA Registrants, Is Your Email Address Up to Date?
For years, DEA registrants could rely on a predictable envelope arriving in the mailbox when it was time to renew. Those days are officially behind us. The DEA no longer sends paper renewal notices, and every reminder, every… single… one…is now delivered exclusively by email. This shift means your ability to stay compliant depends on […]
Maryland’s Fentanyl Response – Why Veterinary Practices and Ketamine Clinics Are in the Spotlight
In recent years, Maryland has been on the front lines of the national fentanyl overdose crisis. With synthetic opioids driving the majority of overdose deaths statewide, policymakers and public health officials are expanding their focus not only on illicit narcotics but on how legally used medical and veterinary drugs may be implicated, directly or indirectly, in the broader drug market and public health response.
A Reminder for Veterinary Facilities, Your State Veterinary Board Can Inspect at Any Time
Most veterinary teams understand that their State Veterinary Board plays a crucial role in protecting public health, ensuring ethical practice, and maintaining high standards of animal care. But one detail that often slips under the radar is when an inspection can happen. The short answer? Any time. And that’s not an exaggeration.
The Rising Cost of Noncompliance
As of July 2025, civil penalties tied to Controlled Substances Act (CSA) violations have reached historic highs, and the trend is unmistakable.
Cannabis Schedule III: The Illusion of Reform and the Reality of Federal Control
The push to move cannabis to Schedule III under the Controlled Substances Act is being celebrated as long-overdue reform. It is not. From a regulatory and enforcement standpoint, rescheduling cannabis does not loosen federal control—it completes it.
As 2025 Comes to an End, Let’s Take A Look Back at the Most Frequently Cited DEA Compliance Issues
As 2025 wraps up, it’s a perfect time for DEA registrants, especially those in veterinary medicine, to reflect on recordkeeping practices, storage procedures, and overall controlled-substance compliance. Unlike OSHA, the DEA does not publish an annual “Top 10” violation list, but inspection trends consistently reveal the same weak points year after year.
Don’tToss Those Records Yet!
Across the United States, veterinary practices struggle with one of the most overlooked, but most dangerous, compliance challenges: record retention. Every practice knows they must keep records… but for how long?
Why Self-Inspections Are a Non-Negotiable for DEA Compliance in Medical Facilities
In the high-stakes world of human and veterinary medical care, the focus is naturally on patient safety and outcomes. But behind the scenes, compliance and recordkeeping are equally critical – especially when it comes to handling controlled substances. One area that’s often overlooked, yet incredibly powerful in avoiding costly violations and operational disruptions, is the […]
DEA Administrative Hearing Delays – What Registrants Need to Know and How to Prepare
Last week, federal registrants awaiting decisions on show cause orders, license suspensions, or denial appeals received troubling news: Chief Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) John J. Mulrooney, II announced his retirement effective August 1, 2025. With his departure, the DEA’s Office of Administrative Law Judges (OALJ) will have no available ALJs to preside over pending cases. As a result, all hearings have been postponed indefinitely.