[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 214 (Tuesday, November 5, 2002)]
[Notices]
[Pages 67413-67414]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-28066]


=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE

Drug Enforcement Administration


Order Rescinding Final Order Denying Application for Registration 
Submitted by Steven J. Watterson

    On May 21, 2001, an Order to Show Cause was issued to Steven J. 
Watterson proposing to deny his application for

[[Page 67414]]

registration as researcher in controlled substances. Subsequently on 
May 17, 2002, a final order was published in the Federal Register at 67 
FR 35,136, indicating that Mr. Watterson had not responded to the Order 
to Show Cause and had therefore waived his opportunity for a hearing. 
Noting that the applicant had waived his right to a hearing, the Deputy 
Administrator found that Mr. Watterson's application should be denied.
    Subsequent to the final order being published in this matter, it 
was brought to the Deputy Administrator's attention that Mr. Watterson 
had been in contact with an official at DEA headquarters and had not 
requested a hearing because Mr. Watterson was under a misapprehension, 
caused in part by conflicting guidance being given to Mr. Watterson by 
the DEA official concerning how and when the matter would be resolved.
    Inasmuch as it appears that Mr. Watterson had contacted DEA in this 
matter and received contradictory direction, a default judgment was not 
appropriate and the final order should not have been issued. The Deputy 
Administrator of the Drug Enforcement Administration therefore orders 
that the final order published May 17, 2002, at 67 FR 35,136 be, and it 
hereby is, rescinded, and this matter is hereby remanded to the Office 
of Diversion Control, Drug Enforcement Administration, for further 
appropriate proceedings. This order is effective upon publication.

    Dated: October 15, 2002.
John B. Brown, III,
Deputy Administrator.
[FR Doc. 02-28066 Filed 11-4-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4410-09-M