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researchers. dations." 114. * CONCEPTION AND BIRTH In September I called Mr. W. at NIDA. He had just returned from a meeting with Dr. C. They were discussing how to get Schedule I drugs to "We want to help," he said. "Call Ms. B. at the DEA and see if she can tell you how to get approval for Dr. Nichols to make a small batch for you. Ifthe amount is too large, he'll need to be a legally designated manu- facturer and will never be able to afford the required security." I called Ms. B. "Can Dave Nichols make some human-grade DMT for my project?" She began, "Well, if Dr. Nichols is going to be a manufacturer, he needs to meet rather stringent security requirements. Is there a DEA of fice near his university? They could drop over and tell him what he needs to do. Then Dr. Nichols could decide ifhe's able to meet their recommen- I heard the edge start creeping into my voice. I was alarmed at how close I felt to losing it. "I've looked everywhere for human-grade DMT: Sigma and another chemical supply house, the National Institute on Drug Abuse, the Na- tional Institute of Mental Health, former investigators, Dr. C. in North Carolina. Dave Nichols is willing to make some for me, incredibly cheap. He needs your okay. I've got an outside grant, and the Research Center at the university is behind this project. I'm losing my mind. I'm pulling out my hair. My gums are bleeding. I'm getting on my wife's nerves." There was a pause. I heard what sounded like her pushing her chair away from the desk. "Oh," she said, sounding genuinely concerned. "Let me see here. . . Yes, there's a 'coincidental activities' clause in the regulations. Dr. Nichols can make a small batch if you're collaborating. This won't require any additional security for his laboratory." Theard her pull a large book out from somewhere: "It's acceptable for him to make it. . ." and she started reading some text,'". . . if and to the extent set forth .. .'"" She spoke too quickly for me to write down the information. Ms. B. finished: "Have Dr. Nichols write me. Here's my address. He'll