§ 824. Denial, revocation, or suspension of registration

Legislative history

Reconstructed from this section’s Code source credit and amendment notes, resolved against the local Statutes at Large. Editorial notes are evidence, not the law that made the change.

1. 1970

   Controlled Substances Act

   Pub. L. 91–513 title II § 304 · 84 Stat. 1236

   Enacted · 21 U.S.C. § 824

   Pub. L. 91–513, title II, § 304, Oct. 27, 1970, 84 Stat. 1255

   Source evidence

   Code source credit
   Pub. L. 91–513, title II, § 304, Oct. 27, 1970, 84 Stat. 1255

   Enacted provision · exact public law section
   Sec. 304. denial, revocation, or suspension of registration (a) A registration pursuant to section 303 to manufacture, distribute, or dispense a controlled substance may be suspended or revoked by the Attorney General upon a finding that the registrant— (1) has materially falsified any application filed pursuant to or required by this title or title III; Post, p. 1285. (2) has been convicted of a felony under this title or title HI or any other law of the United States, or of any State, relating to any substance defined in this title as a controlled substance; or (3) has had his State license or registration suspended, revoked, or denied by competent State authority and is no longer authorized by State law to engage in the manufacturing, distribution, or dispensing of controlled substances. (b) The Attorney General may limit revocation or suspension of a registration to the particular controlled substance with respect to which grounds for revocation or suspension exist. (c) Before taking action pursuant to this section, or pursuant to a Service of order. denial of registration under section 303, the Attorney General shall serve upon the applicant or registrant an order to show cause why registration should not be denied, revoked, or suspended. The order to show cause shall contain a statement of the basis thereof and shall call upon the applicant or registrant to appear before the Attorney General at a time and place stated in the order, but in no event less than thirty days after the date of receipt of the order. Proceedings to deny, revoke, or suspend shall be conducted pursuant to this section in accordance with subchapter II of chapter 5 of title 5 of the United 80 Stat. 381. 5 USC 551. States Code. Such proceedings shall be independent of, and not in lieu of, criminal prosecutions or other proceedings under this title or any other law of the United States. (d) The Attorney General may, in his discretion, suspend any registration simultaneously with the institution of proceedings under this section, in cases where he finds that there is an imminent danger to the public health or safety. Such suspension shall continue in effect until the conclusion of such proceedings, including judicial review thereof, unless sooner withdrawn by the Attorney General or dissolved by a court of competent jurisdiction. (e) The suspension or revocation of a registration under this section shall operate to suspend or revoke any quota applicable under section 306. (f) In the event the Attorney General suspends or revokes a registration granted under section 303, all controlled substances owned or possessed by the registrant pursuant to such registration at the time of suspension or the effective date of the revocation order, as the case may be, may, in the discretion of the Attorney General, be placed under seal. No disposition may be made of any controlled substances under seal until the time for taking an appeal has elapsed or until all appeals have been concluded except that a court, upon application therefor, may at any time order the sale of perishable controlled substances. Any such order shall require the deposit of the proceeds of the sale with the court. Upon a revocation order becoming final, nil such controlled substances (or proceeds of sale deposited in court) shall be forfeited to the United States; and the Attorney General shall dispose of such controlled Post, p. 1277 substances in accordance with section 511(e).

2. 1974

   Pub. L. 93–281 § 4(a) · 88 Stat. 124

   Changed · 21 U.S.C. § 824(a)

   Pub. L. 93–281, § 4(a), provided for revocation or suspension of a registration pursuant to section 823(g) of this title for failure of a registrant to comply with standards referred to in such section 823(g)

   Source evidence

   Code amendment note
   Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 93–281, § 4(a), provided for revocation or suspension of a registration pursuant to section 823(g) of this title for failure of a registrant to comply with standards referred to in such section 823(g).

   Enacted provision · exact public law section
   (a) Section 304(a) of the Controlled Substances Act (21 Suspension or revocation. U.S.C. 824(a)) is amended by adding after and below paragraph (3) the following: “A registration pursuant to section 303(g) to dispense 21 USC 823. a narcotic drug for maintenance treatment or detoxification treatment may be suspended or revoked by the Attorney General upon a finding that the registrant has failed to comply with any standard referred to in section 303(g).”

3. 1974

   Pub. L. 93–281 § 4(b) · 88 Stat. 124

   Substituted · 21 U.S.C. § 824(d)

   Pub. L. 93–281, § 4(b), substituted “A suspension under this subsection” for “Such suspension” in third sentence

   Source evidence

   Code amendment note
   Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 93–281, § 4(b), substituted “A suspension under this subsection” for “Such suspension” in third sentence.

   Enacted provision · exact public law section
   (b) Section 304(d) of such Act is amended (1) by inserting after the first sentence the following: “A failure to comply with a standard referred to in section 303(g) may be treated under this subsection as grounds for immediate suspension of a registration granted under such section.”; and (2) by striking out “Such suspension” and inserting in lieu thereof “A suspension under this subsection”.

4. 1984

   Pub. L. 98–473 § 512(1) · 98 Stat. 1837

   Inserted · 21 U.S.C. § 824(a)(3)

   Pub. L. 98–473, § 512(1), inserted provisions relating to suspension, etc., recommended by competent State authority

   Source evidence

   Code amendment note
   Subsec. (a)(3). Pub. L. 98–473, § 512(1), inserted provisions relating to suspension, etc., recommended by competent State authority.

   Enacted provision · exact public law section
   Sec. 512. None of the funds appropriated or made available pursuant to this Act shall be obligated or expended to finance directly any assistance to Mozambique, except that the President may waive this prohibition if he determines, and so reports to the Congress, that furnishing such assistance would further the foreign policy interests of the United States.

5. 1984

   Pub. L. 98–473 § 512(2) · 98 Stat. 1837

   Added · 21 U.S.C. § 824(a)(4)

   Pub. L. 98–473, § 512(2), added par. (4)

   Source evidence

   Code amendment note
   Subsec. (a)(4). Pub. L. 98–473, § 512(2), added par. (4).

   Enacted provision · exact public law section
   Sec. 512. None of the funds appropriated or made available pursuant to this Act shall be obligated or expended to finance directly any assistance to Mozambique, except that the President may waive this prohibition if he determines, and so reports to the Congress, that furnishing such assistance would further the foreign policy interests of the United States.

6. 1984

   Department of the Interior and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 1985

   Pub. L. 98–473 § 304 · 98 Stat. 1837

   Inserted · 21 U.S.C. § 824(f)

   Pub. L. 98–473, § 304, inserted provisions relating to vesting of right, title, and interest in the United States

   Source evidence

   Code amendment note
   Subsec. (f). Pub. L. 98–473, § 304, inserted provisions relating to vesting of right, title, and interest in the United States.

   Enacted provision · exact public law section
   Sec. 304. No part of any appropriation contained in this Act shall be available for any activity or the publication or distribution of literature that in any way tends to promote public support or opposition to any legislative proposal on which congressional action is not complete.

7. 1984

   Pub. L. 98–473 § 513 · 98 Stat. 1837

   Added · 21 U.S.C. § 824(g)

   Pub. L. 98–473, § 513, added subsec. (g)

   Source evidence

   Code amendment note
   Subsec. (g). Pub. L. 98–473, § 513, added subsec. (g).

   Enacted provision · exact public law section
   Sec. 513. None of the funds appropriated or otherwise made available pursuant to this Act shall be obligated or expended to finance directly any assistance or reparations to Angola, Cambodia, Cuba, Iraq, Libya, Laos, the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, South Yemen, or Syria.

8. 1987

   Medicare and Medicaid Patient and Program Protection Act of 1987

   Pub. L. 100–93 § 8(j) · 101 Stat. 680

   Added · 21 U.S.C. § 824(a)(5)

   Pub. L. 100–93 added par. (5)

   Source evidence

   Code amendment note
   Subsec. (a)(5). Pub. L. 100–93 added par. (5).

   Enacted provision · exact public law section
   (j) Denial, Revocation, or Suspension of Registration To Manufacture, Distribute, or Dispense a Controlled Substance for Entities Excluded From the Medicare Program.— Section 304(a) of the Controlled Substances Act (21 U.S.C. 824(a)) is amended— (1) by striking “or” at the end of paragraph (3), (2) by striking the period at the end of paragraph (4) and inserting “; or”, and (3) by inserting after paragraph (4) the following new paragraph: “(5) has been excluded (or directed to be excluded) from participation in a program pursuant to section 1128(a) of the Social Security Act?’.

9. 1993

   Pub. L. 103–200 § 3(d)(1) · 107 Stat. 2333

   1. Inserted · 21 U.S.C. § 824(a)

      Pub. L. 103–200, § 3(d)(1), inserted “or a list I chemical” after “controlled substance” in introductory provisions and par. (2)

   2. Inserted · 21 U.S.C. § 824(a)

      Pub. L. 103–200, § 3(d)(1), inserted “or list I chemicals” after “controlled substances” in par. (3)

   Source evidence

   Code amendment note
   Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 103–200, § 3(d)(1), inserted “or a list I chemical” after “controlled substance” in introductory provisions and par. (2) and inserted “or list I chemicals” after “controlled substances” in par. (3).

   Enacted provision · exact public law section
   (1) in subsection (a)— (A) by inserting “or a list I chemical” after “controlled substance” each place it appears; and (B) by inserting “or list I chemicals” after “controlled substances”;

10. 1993

    Pub. L. 103–200 § 3(d)(2) · 107 Stat. 2333

    Inserted · 21 U.S.C. § 824(b)

    Pub. L. 103–200, § 3(d)(2), inserted “or list I chemical” after “controlled substance”

    Source evidence

    Code amendment note
    Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 103–200, § 3(d)(2), inserted “or list I chemical” after “controlled substance”.

    Enacted provision · exact public law section
    (2) in subsection (b), by inserting “or list I chemical” after “controlled substance”;

11. 1993

    Pub. L. 103–200 § 3(d)(3) · 107 Stat. 2333

    Inserted · 21 U.S.C. § 824(f)

    Pub. L. 103–200, § 3(d)(3), inserted “or list I chemicals” after “controlled substances” wherever appearing

    Source evidence

    Code amendment note
    Subsec. (f). Pub. L. 103–200, § 3(d)(3), inserted “or list I chemicals” after “controlled substances” wherever appearing.

    Enacted provision · exact public law section
    (3) in subsection (f), by inserting “or list I chemicals” after “controlled substances” each place it appears; and

12. 1993

    Pub. L. 103–200 § 3(d)(4) · 107 Stat. 2333

    Inserted · 21 U.S.C. § 824(g)

    Pub. L. 103–200, § 3(d)(4), inserted “or list I chemicals” after “controlled substances” in two places and “or list I chemical” after “controlled substance” wherever appearing

    Source evidence

    Code amendment note
    Subsec. (g). Pub. L. 103–200, § 3(d)(4), inserted “or list I chemicals” after “controlled substances” in two places and “or list I chemical” after “controlled substance” wherever appearing.

    Enacted provision · exact public law section
    (4) in subsection (g)— (A) by inserting “or list I chemicals” after “controlled substances” each place it appears; and (B) by inserting “or list I chemical” after “controlled substance” each place it appears.

13. 1994

    Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994

    Pub. L. 103–322 title XXXIII § 330024(e) · 108 Stat. 1796

    Inserted · 21 U.S.C. § 824(g)

    Pub. L. 103–322 inserted “or chemical” after “such substance” in last sentence

    Source evidence

    Code amendment note
    Subsec. (g). Pub. L. 103–322 inserted “or chemical” after “such substance” in last sentence.

    Enacted provision · exact public law section
    (e) Missing Conforming Amendment.— Section 304(g) of the Controlled Substances Act is amended by inserting “or chemical” 21 USC 824. after “such substance” in the last sentence.

14. 2000

    Drug Addiction Treatment Act of 2000

    Pub. L. 106–310 § 3502(b)(1) · 114 Stat. 1101

    Substituted · 21 U.S.C. § 824(a)

    Pub. L. 106–310, § 3502(b)(1), substituted “section 823(g)(1) of this title” for “section 823(g) of this title” in two places in concluding provisions

    Source evidence

    Code amendment note
    Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 106–310, § 3502(b)(1), substituted “section 823(g)(1) of this title” for “section 823(g) of this title” in two places in concluding provisions.

    Enacted provision · exact public law section
    (1) in subsection (a), in the matter after and below para-graph (5), by striking “section 303(g)” each place such term appears and inserting “section 303(g)(1)”; and

15. 2000

    Drug Addiction Treatment Act of 2000

    Pub. L. 106–310 § 3502(b)(2) · 114 Stat. 1101

    Substituted · 21 U.S.C. § 824(d)

    Pub. L. 106–310, § 3502(b)(2), substituted “section 823(g)(1) of this title” for “section 823(g) of this title”

    Source evidence

    Code amendment note
    Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 106–310, § 3502(b)(2), substituted “section 823(g)(1) of this title” for “section 823(g) of this title”.

    Enacted provision · exact public law section
    (2) in subsection (d), by striking “section 303(g)” and inserting “section 303(g)(1)”.

16. 2016

    Ensuring Patient Access and Effective Drug Enforcement Act of 2016

    Pub. L. 114–145 § 2(b) · 130 Stat. 354

    1. Struck · 21 U.S.C. § 824(c)

       Pub. L. 114–145, § 2(b), struck out “The order to show cause shall contain a statement of the basis thereof and shall call upon the applicant or registrant to appear before the Attorney General at a time and place stated in the order, but in no event less than thirty days after the date of receipt of the order. Proceedings to deny, revoke, or suspend shall be conducted pursuant to this section in accordance with subchapter II of chapter 5 of title 5. Such proceedings shall be independent of, and not in lieu of, criminal prosecutions or other proceedings under this subchapter or any other law of the United States.” after “denied, revoked, or suspended.”

    2. Amended · 21 U.S.C. § 824(c)

       Pub. L. 114–145, § 2(b), designated existing provisions as par. (1)

    3. Added · 21 U.S.C. § 824(c)

       Pub. L. 114–145, § 2(b), added pars. (2) to (5)

    Source evidence

    Code amendment note
    Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 114–145, § 2(b), struck out “The order to show cause shall contain a statement of the basis thereof and shall call upon the applicant or registrant to appear before the Attorney General at a time and place stated in the order, but in no event less than thirty days after the date of receipt of the order. Proceedings to deny, revoke, or suspend shall be conducted pursuant to this section in accordance with subchapter II of chapter 5 of title 5. Such proceedings shall be independent of, and not in lieu of, criminal prosecutions or other proceedings under this subchapter or any other law of the United States.” after “denied, revoked, or suspended.”, designated existing provisions as par. (1), and added pars. (2) to (5).

    Enacted provision · exact public law section
    (b) Opportunity To Submit Corrective Action Plan Prior to Revocation or Suspension.— Subsection (c) of section 304 of the Controlled Substances Act (21 U.S.C. 824) is amended— (1) by striking the last three sentences; (2) by striking “(c) Before” and inserting “(c)(1) Before”; and (3) by adding at the end the following: “(2) An order to show cause under paragraph (1) shall— “(A) contain a statement of the basis for the denial, revocation, or suspension, including specific citations to any laws or regulations alleged to be violated by the applicant or registrant; “(B) direct the applicant or registrant to appear before the Attorney General at a time and place stated in the order, but not less than 30 days after the date of receipt of the order; and “(C) notify the applicant or registrant of the opportunity to submit a corrective action plan on or before the date of appearance. “(3) Upon review of any corrective action plan submitted by an applicant or registrant pursuant to paragraph (2), the Attorney General shall determine whether denial, revocation, or suspension proceedings should be discontinued, or deferred for the purposes of modification, amendment, or clarification to such plan. “(4) Proceedings to deny, revoke, or suspend shall be conducted pursuant to this section in accordance with subchapter II of chapter 5 of title 5, United States Code. Such proceedings shall be independent of, and not in lieu of, criminal prosecutions or other proceedings under this title or any other law of the United States. “(5) The requirements of this subsection shall not apply to the issuance of an immediate suspension order under subsection (d).” .

17. 2016

    Ensuring Patient Access and Effective Drug Enforcement Act of 2016

    Pub. L. 114–145 § 2(a)(2) · 130 Stat. 354

    1. Amended · 21 U.S.C. § 824(d)

       Pub. L. 114–145, § 2(a)(2), designated existing provisions as par. (1)

    2. Added · 21 U.S.C. § 824(d)

       Pub. L. 114–145, § 2(a)(2), added par. (2)

    Source evidence

    Code amendment note
    Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 114–145, § 2(a)(2), designated existing provisions as par. (1) and added par. (2).

    Enacted provision · exact public law section
    (2) Imminent danger to the public health or safety.— Section 304(d) of the Controlled Substances Act (21 U.S.C. 824(d)) is amended— (A) by striking “(d) The Attorney General” and inserting “(d)(1) The Attorney General”; and (B) by adding at the end the following: “(2) In this subsection, the phrase ‘imminent danger to the public health or safety’ means that, due to the failure of the registrant to maintain effective controls against diversion or otherwise comply with the obligations of a registrant under this title or title III, there is a substantial likelihood of an immediate threat that death, serious bodily harm, or abuse of a controlled substance will occur in the absence of an immediate suspension of the registration.” .

18. 2021

    Debarment Enforcement of Bad Actor Registrants Act of 2021

    Pub. L. 117–36 § 2 · 135 Stat. 328

    Added · 21 U.S.C. § 824(h)

    Pub. L. 117–36 added subsec. (h)

    Source evidence

    Code amendment note
    Subsec. (h). Pub. L. 117–36 added subsec. (h).

    Enacted provision · exact public law section
    SEC. 2. DEBARMENT OF CERTAIN REGISTRANTS.   Section 304 of the Controlled Substances Act (21 U.S.C. 824) is amended by adding at the end the following: “(h) The Attorney General may issue an order to prohibit, conditionally or unconditionally, and permanently or for such period as the Attorney General may determine, any person from being registered under this title to manufacture, distribute, or dispense a controlled substance or a list I chemical, if the Attorney General finds that— “(1) such person meets or has met any of the conditions for suspension or revocation of registration under subsection (a); and “(2) such person has a history of prior suspensions or revocations of registration.” .

19. 2022

    Medical Marijuana and Cannabidiol Research Expansion Act

    Pub. L. 117–215 title I § 103(b)(1)(C) · 136 Stat. 2257

    Substituted · 21 U.S.C. § 824(a)

    Pub. L. 117–215, in concluding provisions, substituted “823(h)(1)” for “823(g)(1)” in two places

    Target inherited from the preceding amendment note.

    Source evidence

    Code amendment note
    Pub. L. 117–215, in concluding provisions, substituted “823(h)(1)” for “823(g)(1)” in two places.

    Enacted provision · exact public law section
    (C) in section 304 (21 U.S.C. 824), by striking “303(g)(1)” each place it appears and inserting “303(h)(1)”;

20. 2022

    Medical Marijuana and Cannabidiol Research Expansion Act

    Pub. L. 117–215 title I § 103(b)(1)(C) · 136 Stat. 2257

    Substituted · 21 U.S.C. § 824(d)(1)

    Pub. L. 117–215 substituted “823(h)(1)” for “823(g)(1)”

    Target inherited from the preceding amendment note.

    Source evidence

    Code amendment note
    Pub. L. 117–215 substituted “823(h)(1)” for “823(g)(1)”.

    Enacted provision · exact public law section
    (C) in section 304 (21 U.S.C. 824), by striking “303(g)(1)” each place it appears and inserting “303(h)(1)”;

21. 2022

    Restoring Hope for Mental Health and Well-Being Act of 2022

    Pub. L. 117–328 § 1262(b)(1) · 136 Stat. 4459

    1. Amended · 21 U.S.C. § 824(a)

       Pub. L. 117–328, § 1262(b)(1), as amended by Pub. L. 119–26, § 4(2)(B)(i), (ii), in concluding provisions

    2. Substituted · 21 U.S.C. § 824(a)

       Pub. L. 117–328, § 1262(b)(1), as substituted “823(h)” for “823(h)(1)” in two places

    Source evidence

    Code amendment note
    Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 117–328, § 1262(b)(1), as amended by Pub. L. 119–26, § 4(2)(B)(i), (ii), in concluding provisions, substituted “823(h)” for “823(h)(1)” in two places.

    Enacted provision · exact public law section
    (1) Subsections (a) and (d)(1) of section 304 of the Controlled Substances Act (21 U.S.C. 824) are each amended by striking “303(g)(1)” each place it appears and inserting “303(g)”.

    Effective date note
    Pub. L. 119–26, § 4, July 16, 2025, 139 Stat. 416, provided that the amendment made by section 4(2)(B)(i), (ii) is effective as if included in the enactment of Pub. L. 117–328.

22. 2022

    Restoring Hope for Mental Health and Well-Being Act of 2022

    Pub. L. 117–328 § 1262(b)(1) · 136 Stat. 4459

    1. Amended · 21 U.S.C. § 824(d)(1)

       Pub. L. 117–328, § 1262(b)(1), as amended by Pub. L. 119–26, § 4(2)(B)(i), (ii)

    2. Substituted · 21 U.S.C. § 824(d)(1)

       Pub. L. 117–328, § 1262(b)(1), as substituted “823(h)” for “823(h)(1)”

    Source evidence

    Code amendment note
    Subsec. (d)(1). Pub. L. 117–328, § 1262(b)(1), as amended by Pub. L. 119–26, § 4(2)(B)(i), (ii), substituted “823(h)” for “823(h)(1)”.

    Enacted provision · exact public law section
    (1) Subsections (a) and (d)(1) of section 304 of the Controlled Substances Act (21 U.S.C. 824) are each amended by striking “303(g)(1)” each place it appears and inserting “303(g)”.

    Effective date note
    Pub. L. 119–26, § 4, July 16, 2025, 139 Stat. 416, provided that the amendment made by section 4(2)(B)(i), (ii) is effective as if included in the enactment of Pub. L. 117–328.

23. 2025

    Pub. L. 119–26 § 4(2)(B)(i) · 139 Stat. 416

    Amended · 21 U.S.C. § 824(a); 21 U.S.C. § 824(d)(1)

    Pub. L. 119–26, § 4(2)(B)(i), (ii), amended Pub. L. 117–328, § 1262(b)(1). See 2022 Amendment notes below

    Unresolved: Pub. L. 119–26 was not found in the local Statutes at Large index.

    Source evidence

    Code amendment note
    Subsecs. (a), (d)(1). Pub. L. 119–26, § 4(2)(B)(i), (ii), amended Pub. L. 117–328, § 1262(b)(1). See 2022 Amendment notes below.

    Effective date note
    Pub. L. 119–26, § 4, July 16, 2025, 139 Stat. 416, provided that the amendment made by section 4(2)(B)(i), (ii) is effective as if included in the enactment of Pub. L. 117–328.

28 of 29 references resolved to an enrolled provision · 1 unresolved