Ketamine-for-OUD data will be cited by harm-reduction advocates but will NOT trigger any DEA scheduling change or loosening within 12 weeks.

Scientists are studying whether ketamine — itself a drug people can misuse — can help people addicted to opioids. Harm-reduction advocates (people who want safer drug policies) will point to this research as a reason to loosen restrictions. But the DEA (the US agency that controls which drugs are legal and how tightly) won't budge on ketamine's status within the next 12 weeks. The DEA moves slowly and is especially cautious about using one potentially addictive drug to treat addiction to another.

Using one abusable drug to treat addiction to another raises red flags. Enforcement posture holds regardless of trial optimism.