[Federal Register Volume 90, Number 132 (Monday, July 14, 2025)]
[Notices]
[Pages 31247-31251]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2025-13117]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE

Drug Enforcement Administration


Michael Bouknight; Decision and Order

    On December 2, 2024, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA or 
Government) issued an Order to Show Cause (OSC) to Michael Bouknight of 
Norristown, Pennsylvania (Applicant). Request for Final Agency Action 
(RFAA), Exhibit (RFAAX) 3, at 1, 4. The OSC proposed the denial of 
Applicant's applications for DEA registration, Control Nos. W24128628C 
and W24092701C, alleging that he currently lacks state authority to 
handle controlled substances in Pennsylvania and that he materially 
falsified his applications for registration.\1\ Id. (citing 21 U.S.C. 
824(a)(1), 824(a)(3)).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \1\ The Government's RFAA notes that after the OSC was issued, 
Applicant submitted a third application, No. W24165770C. RFAA, at 1-
2; RFAAX 4, at 2. Because the third application was not alleged in 
the OSC, the Agency makes no factual findings regarding it. The OSC, 
however, did allege that the factual allegations supported denial of 
``any applications for any other DEA registrations.'' RFAAX 3, at 1 
(emphasis added). Thus, this Agency final order is effective as to 
the two applications identified in the OSC, as well as ``any other 
pending applications,'' to include the third application submitted 
after the OSC. See infra Order.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    On January 16, 2025, the Government submitted an RFAA to the 
Administrator requesting that the Agency issue a default final order 
denying Applicant's applications. RFAA, at 1, 4. After carefully 
reviewing the entire record and conducting the analysis as set forth in 
detail below, the Agency finds that Applicant is in default, finds that 
Applicant is without state authority, and finds that Applicant 
materially falsified his applications. Accordingly, the Agency grants 
the Government's RFAA and denies Applicant's applications.

I. Default Determination

    Under 21 CFR 1301.43, an applicant entitled to a hearing who fails 
to file a timely hearing request ``within 30 days after the date of 
receipt of the [OSC] . . . shall be deemed to have waived their right 
to a hearing and to be in default'' unless ``good cause'' is 
established for the failure. 21 CFR 1301.43(a), (c)(1). In the absence 
of a demonstration of good cause, an applicant who fails to timely file 
an answer also is ``deemed to have waived their right to a hearing and 
to be in default.'' 21 CFR 1301.43(c)(2). Unless excused, a default 
constitutes ``an admission of the factual allegations of the [OSC].'' 
21 CFR 1301.43(e).

[[Page 31248]]

    The OSC notified Applicant of his right to file a written request 
for hearing and answer, and that if he failed to file such a request 
and answer, he would be deemed to have waived his right to a hearing 
and be in default.\2\ RFAAX 3, at 3 (citing 21 CFR 1301.43). Here, 
Applicant did not request a hearing, file an answer, or respond to the 
OSC in any way. RFAA, at 2-4; RFAAX 4, at 2. Accordingly, Applicant is 
in default. 21 CFR 1301.43(c)(1); RFAA, at 1-4.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \2\ Based on the Government's submissions in its RFAA dated 
January 16, 2025, the Agency finds that service of the OSC on 
Applicant was adequate. Specifically, the Declaration from a DEA 
Diversion Investigator (DI) indicates that on December 3, 2024, DI 
served the OSC on Applicant in-person. RFAAX 4, at 2.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    ``A default, unless excused, shall be deemed to constitute a waiver 
of the [applicant's] right to a hearing and an admission of the factual 
allegations of the [OSC].'' 21 CFR 1301.43(e). Because Applicant is in 
default and has not moved to excuse the default, the Agency finds that 
Applicant has admitted to the factual allegations in the OSC. 21 CFR 
1301.43(c)(1), (e), (f)(1).
    Further, ``[i]n the event that [an applicant] . . . is deemed to be 
in default . . . DEA may then file a request for final agency action 
with the Administrator, along with a record to support its request. In 
such circumstances, the Administrator may enter a default final order 
pursuant to [21 CFR] 1316.67.'' 21 CFR 1301.43(f)(1). Here, the 
Government has requested final agency action based on Applicant's 
default pursuant to 21 CFR 1301.43(c), (f), and 1301.46. RFAA, at 1-2, 
4; see also 21 CFR 1316.67.

II. Lack of State Authority

A. Findings of Fact

    The Agency finds that, in light of Applicant's default, the factual 
allegations in the OSC are deemed admitted. 21 CFR 1301.43(e). 
Accordingly, Applicant is deemed to have admitted, in accordance with 
the OSC, that there is no ``record of [Applicant] having ever been 
authorized to handle controlled substances in Pennsylvania.'' RFAAX 3, 
at 2. According to Pennsylvania online records, of which the Agency 
takes official notice, Applicant does not possess any professional 
license that authorizes him to handle controlled substances under the 
laws of Pennsylvania.\3\ Pennsylvania Department of State Licensing 
System Verification, https://www.pals.pa.gov/#!/page/search (last 
visited date of signature of this Order). Accordingly, the Agency finds 
that Applicant is not licensed to handle controlled substances in 
Pennsylvania, the state in which he is registered with DEA.\4\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \3\ Under the Administrative Procedure Act, an agency ``may take 
official notice of facts at any stage in a proceeding--even in the 
final decision.'' United States Department of Justice, Attorney 
General's Manual on the Administrative Procedure Act 80 (1947) (Wm. 
W. Gaunt & Sons, Inc., Reprint 1979).
    \4\ Pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 556(e), ``[w]hen an agency decision 
rests on official notice of a material fact not appearing in the 
evidence in the record, a party is entitled, on timely request, to 
an opportunity to show the contrary.'' The material fact here is 
that Applicant, as of the date of this Decision and Order, is not 
licensed to handle controlled substances in Pennsylvania. 
Accordingly, Applicant may dispute the Agency's finding by filing a 
properly supported motion for reconsideration of findings of fact 
within fifteen calendar days of the date of this Order. Any such 
motion and response shall be filed and served by email to the other 
party and to the DEA Office of the Administrator, Drug Enforcement 
Administration, at [email protected].
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

B. Discussion

    Pursuant to 21 U.S.C. 824(a)(3), the Attorney General may suspend 
or revoke a registration issued under 21 U.S.C. 823 ``upon a finding 
that the registrant . . . has had his State license or registration 
suspended . . . [or] revoked . . . by competent State authority and is 
no longer authorized by State law to engage in the . . . dispensing of 
controlled substances.'' With respect to a practitioner, DEA has also 
long held that the possession of authority to dispense controlled 
substances under the laws of the state in which a practitioner engages 
in professional practice is a fundamental condition for obtaining and 
maintaining a practitioner's registration. Gonzales v. Oregon, 546 U.S. 
243, 270 (2006) (``The Attorney General can register a physician to 
dispense controlled substances `if the applicant is authorized to 
dispense . . . controlled substances under the laws of the State in 
which he practices.' . . . The very definition of a `practitioner' 
eligible to prescribe includes physicians `licensed, registered, or 
otherwise permitted, by the United States or the jurisdiction in which 
he practices' to dispense controlled substances. [21 U.S.C.] 
802(21).''). The Agency has applied these principles consistently. See, 
e.g., James L. Hooper, M.D., 76 FR 71,371, 71,372 (2011), pet. for rev. 
denied, 481 F. App'x 826 (4th Cir. 2012); Frederick Marsh Blanton, 
M.D., 43 FR 27,616, 27,617 (1978).\5\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \5\ This rule derives from the text of two provisions of the 
Controlled Substances Act (CSA). First, Congress defined the term 
``practitioner'' to mean ``a physician . . . or other person 
licensed, registered, or otherwise permitted, by . . . the 
jurisdiction in which he practices . . . , to distribute, dispense, 
. . . [or] administer . . . a controlled substance in the course of 
professional practice.'' 21 U.S.C. 802(21). Second, in setting the 
requirements for obtaining a practitioner's registration, Congress 
directed that ``[t]he Attorney General shall register practitioners 
. . . if the applicant is authorized to dispense . . . controlled 
substances under the laws of the State in which he practices.'' 21 
U.S.C. 823(g)(1). Because Congress has clearly mandated that a 
practitioner possess state authority in order to be deemed a 
practitioner under the CSA, DEA has held repeatedly that revocation 
of a practitioner's registration is the appropriate sanction 
whenever he is no longer authorized to dispense controlled 
substances under the laws of the state in which he practices. See, 
e.g., James L. Hooper, M.D., 76 FR at 71371-72; Sheran Arden Yeats, 
M.D., 71 FR 39130, 39131 (2006); Dominick A. Ricci, M.D., 58 FR 
51104, 51105 (1993); Bobby Watts, M.D., 53 FR 11919, 11920 (1988); 
Frederick Marsh Blanton, M.D., 43 FR at 27617.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    According to Pennsylvania statute, ``dispense'' means ``to deliver 
a controlled substance, other drug or device to an ultimate user or 
research subject by or pursuant to the lawful order of a practitioner, 
including the prescribing, administering, packaging, labeling, or 
compounding necessary to prepare such item for that delivery.'' 35 Pa. 
Stat. Sec.  780-102(b) (West 2025). Further, a ``practitioner'' means 
``a physician . . . or other person licensed, registered or otherwise 
permitted to distribute, dispense, conduct research with respect to or 
to administer a controlled substance, other drug or device in the 
course of professional practice or research in the Commonwealth of 
Pennsylvania.'' Id.
    Here, the undisputed evidence in the record is that Applicant lacks 
authority to handle controlled substances in Pennsylvania. As discussed 
above, a person must be a licensed practitioner to dispense a 
controlled substance in Pennsylvania. Thus, because Applicant lacks 
authority to handle controlled substances in Pennsylvania, he is not 
eligible to obtain or maintain a DEA registration in Pennsylvania. 
Accordingly, the Agency will order that Applicant's applications for 
DEA registration be denied.

III. Material Falsification

A. Findings of Fact

    The Agency finds that, in light of Applicant's default, the factual 
allegations in the OSC are deemed admitted. 21 CFR 1301.43(e). 
Accordingly, Applicant is deemed to have admitted to each of the 
following facts. On July 8, 2024, and September 6, 2024, Applicant 
submitted applications for DEA registration as a practitioner in 
Schedules II through V. RFAAX 3, at 2. The application forms contained 
the following statement from DEA: ``[Applicant] must be currently 
authorized to prescribe, distribute, dispense, conduct research, or 
otherwise handle the controlled

[[Page 31249]]

substances in the schedules for which [Applicant is] applying under the 
laws of the state or jurisdiction in which [Applicant is] operating or 
propose[s] to operate.'' Id.
    When Applicant submitted his applications, he was not authorized in 
Pennsylvania to handle controlled substances and there is no record 
that he has ever been authorized to handle controlled substances in 
Pennsylvania. Id. On each application, Applicant entered the 
Pennsylvania Medical Physician and Surgeon License number belonging to 
another person. Id.

B. Discussion

    A DEA registration may be denied, suspended, or revoked upon a 
finding that the applicant or registrant materially falsified any 
application filed pursuant to or required by the Controlled Substances 
Act (CSA). 21 U.S.C. 824(a)(1).\6\ To present a prima facie case for 
material falsification, the Government's record evidence must show (1) 
the submission of an application, (2) containing a false statement and/
or omitting information that the application requires, (3) when the 
submitter knew or should have known that the statement is false and/or 
that the omitted information existed and the application required its 
disclosure, and (4) the false statement and/or required but omitted 
information is material, that is, it ``connect[s] to at least one of 
[the section 823] factors that, according to the CSA, [the 
Administrator] `shall' consider'' when analyzing ``whether issuing a 
registration `would be inconsistent with the public interest.' '' Frank 
Joseph Stirlacci, M.D., 85 FR 45229, 45238 (2020) (citing 21 U.S.C. 823 
and Kungys, 485 U.S. at 771). The Government must establish material 
falsification with record evidence that is clear, unequivocal, and 
convincing. Kungys, 485 U.S. at 772; Stirlacci, 85 FR at 45230-39.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \6\ A statutory basis to deny an application pursuant to section 
823 is also a basis to revoke or suspend a registration pursuant to 
section 824, and vice versa, because doing ``otherwise would mean 
that all applications would have to be granted only to be revoked 
the next day . . . .'' Robert Wayne Locklear, M.D., 86 FR 33738, 
33744-45 (2021) (collecting cases).
    The Supreme Court's decision in Kungys v. United States, 485 
U.S. 759 (1988), and its progeny, guide the Agency's implementation 
of these CSA provisions.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    First, the Government must prove that the applicant or registrant 
submitted an application for registration pursuant to the CSA. 21 
U.S.C. 824(a)(1); see also 21 U.S.C. 822 (persons required to 
register); 21 U.S.C. 823(g)(1) (registration requirements).
    Second, the Government must prove that the application contained a 
false statement or omitted information that the application required, 
either of which may constitute a material falsity. See, e.g., Emed 
Medical Company LLC and Med Assist Pharmacy, 88 FR 21719, 21720 (2023) 
(applicant falsely answered ``no'' to Liability Question 3 on seventeen 
applications when the true answer was ``yes''); Richard J. Settles, 
D.O., 81 FR 64940, 64945-46 (2016) (applicant failed to disclose an 
interim consent agreement restricting his license based on findings 
that he issued controlled substance prescriptions without federal or 
state legal authority to do so). In making this assessment, the Agency 
will examine the entire application, including registrant's ``yes/no'' 
answers to the liability questions and any follow-up response(s). 
Daniel A. Glick, D.D.S., 80 FR 74800, 74802, 74808-09 (2015). To 
establish an omission, the Government must show both that omitted 
information existed and that the application required inclusion of that 
information. See, e.g., Richard A. Herbert, M.D., 76 FR 53942, 53956 
(2011) (omission of a probation which the application required to be 
identified); Michel P. Toret, M.D., 82 FR 60041, 60042 (2017) 
(Voluntary Surrender Form alone is insufficient evidence to find 
material falsification based on registrant's ``no'' answer to the 
question regarding ``surrender[s] (for cause)'').
    Third, the Government must prove that the applicant or registrant 
knew or should have known that the statement is false and/or that the 
omitted information existed and the application required its 
disclosure. See John J. Cienki, M.D., 63 FR 52293, 52295 (1998) (``[I]n 
finding that there has been a material falsification of an application, 
it must be determined that the applicant knew or should have known that 
the response given to the liability question was false.''); Samuel 
Arnold, D.D.S., 63 FR 8687, 8688 (1998) (``It is also undisputed that 
Respondent knew that his Ohio dental license had previously been 
suspended.''); Bobby Watts, M.D., 58 FR 46995, 46995 (1993) 
(``Respondent knew that the Tennessee Board of Medical Examiners had 
suspended his medical license on May 7, 1987, and had placed his state 
medical license on probation on May 2, 1988.''); see also Stirlacci, 85 
FR at 45236-37 & nn.22-23 (collecting cases).
    Fourth, the Government must prove that the false statement and/or 
required but omitted information is ``material.'' Kungys holds that a 
statement is material if it is ``predictably capable of affecting, 
i.e., had a natural tendency to affect, the [Agency's] official 
decision,'' or stated differently, ``had a natural tendency to 
influence the decision.'' Kungys, 485 U.S. at 771-72. As already 
discussed, materiality, for the purposes of the CSA, is tied to the 
factors that the Administrator ``shall'' consider when determining 
whether issuance of a registration ``would be inconsistent with the 
public interest.'' 21 U.S.C. 823; Kungys, 485 U.S. at 771-72; 
Stirlacci, 85 FR at 45234, 45238.
    The Government has the burden of proof in this proceeding. 21 CFR 
1301.44. Here, the Agency finds that the Government's record evidence 
presents a prima facie case that Applicant submitted a materially false 
application. 21 U.S.C. 823, 824(a)(1).
    Applicant submitted two applications for DEA registration; each 
form notified Applicant that state authority to handle controlled 
substances is a prerequisite to obtain a DEA registration. RFAAX 3, at 
2. Both applications clearly asked for Applicant's state license 
number, to which Applicant responded with a license number that did not 
belong to him, and therefore, did not authorize him to handle 
controlled substances. Id. Thus, Applicant falsified his applications 
by representing that he was authorized ``under the laws of'' 
Pennsylvania to handle controlled substances and possessed state 
authority that he, in fact, knew or should have known that he did not 
possess. Id.
    In addition, the falsifications were material. The Agency has 
consistently held for decades that possessing valid state authority to 
handle controlled substances is a prerequisite for obtaining a DEA 
registration.\7\ See 21 U.S.C. 823(g)(1) (The Agency ``shall register 
practitioners . . . to dispense . . . controlled substances . . . if 
the applicant is authorized to dispense . . . controlled substances 
under the laws of the State in which he practices.''). Thus, whether an 
applicant possesses valid state authority to handle controlled 
substances in the state for which the applicant seeks registration is a 
critical factor DEA must consider when reviewing an application.\8\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \7\ See Joely Keen, A.P.R.N., 90 FR 13882, 13883 (2025) (``DEA 
has . . . long held that the possession of authority to dispense 
controlled substances under the laws of the state in which a 
practitioner engages in professional practice is a fundamental 
condition for obtaining and maintaining a practitioner's 
registration.''); Blanton, 43 FR at 27617 (holding that ``[s]tate 
authorization to dispense or otherwise handle controlled substances 
is a prerequisite to'' obtaining and maintaining a DEA 
registration).
    \8\ See 21 U.S.C. 802(21) (defining a ``practitioner'' as one 
who is ``licensed, registered, or otherwise permitted, by . . . the 
jurisdiction in which he practices'' to handle controlled substances 
``in the course of professional practice''); 21 U.S.C. 823(g)(1) 
(``The Attorney General shall register practitioners . . . if the 
applicant is authorized to dispense . . . controlled substances 
under the laws of the State in which he practices.''); 21 U.S.C. 
824(a)(3) (providing a basis for revoking a registration where the 
registrant lacks the requisite state authority to dispense 
controlled substances); Gonzales v. Oregon, 546 U.S. 243, 270 (2006) 
(``The structure and operation of the CSA presume and rely upon a 
functioning medical profession regulated under the States' police 
powers'' and explaining registration requirements and the definition 
of ``practitioner''); Hatem M. Ataya, M.D., 81 FR 8221, 8244 (2016) 
(explaining ``the possession of state authority is a prerequisite 
for obtaining a registration''); Hoi Y. Kam, M.D., 78 FR 62694, 
62696 (2013) (``Because possessing authority to dispense controlled 
substances under the laws of the State in which a physician 
practices medicine is a requirement for holding a DEA registration, 
. . . a false answer to the state license question is material where 
an applicant no longer holds authority to practice medicine 
(regardless of the reason for the State's action) or authority to 
dispense controlled substances . . . .'') (emphasis added).

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

[[Page 31250]]

    In Steven Bernhard, D.O., the Agency found that an application was 
materially false where the applicant falsely represented that he 
possessed valid state authority to handle controlled substances, when 
in fact, he did not. 82 FR 23298, 23300 (2017). The Agency explained 
that ``[b]ecause the possession of state authority is a prerequisite to 
obtaining and maintaining a practitioner's registration, Respondent's 
false representation[ ] that he currently possessed a state license . . 
. [was] capable of influencing the Agency's decision to grant his . . . 
application.'' Id.; see also Thomas G. Easter II, M.D., 69 FR 5579, 
5580 (2004) (finding that applicant materially falsified an application 
for registration by falsely representing that ``he was `currently 
authorized to prescribe' controlled substances `under the laws of the 
State or jurisdiction in which [he was] operating or propose[d] to 
operate' '').
    Here, Applicant's representations that he possessed authority in 
Pennsylvania to handle controlled substances had the capacity to lead 
DEA to believe that he met the qualifications for registration, when, 
in fact, he did not, because those qualifications did not belong to 
Applicant; they belonged to another practitioner. RFAAX 3, at 2. Thus, 
the falsities directly affected the statutory analysis that DEA was 
required to make when it reviewed his applications. 21 U.S.C. 802(21), 
823(g)(1), 824(a)(3); Gonzales, 546 U.S. at 270; Stirlacci, 85 FR at 
45238; Bernhard, 82 FR at 23300; Easter, 69 FR at 5580. Stated 
differently, his false representations of possessing state authority 
that he did not possess implicated DEA's statutory mandate to only 
issue registrations to practitioners possessing valid state authority. 
21 U.S.C. 802(21), 823(g)(1), 824(a)(3). Thus, the false 
representations in Applicant's applications were material because they 
were ``predictably capable of affecting . . . [DEA's] official 
decision'' regarding whether Applicant met ``the requirements for'' 
registration. Kungys, 485 U.S. at 771.
    In sum, the Agency finds clear, unequivocal, and convincing record 
evidence, and Applicant is deemed to have admitted, that he submitted 
two materially false applications for registration. 21 U.S.C. 
824(a)(1); 21 CFR 1301.43(e).
    As a result of this established violation, the Agency finds that 
the Government has established a prima facie case for sanction, that 
Applicant did not rebut that prima facie case, and that there is 
substantial record evidence supporting the denial of Applicant's 
applications. 21 U.S.C. 824(a)(1).

C. Sanction

    Where, as here, the Government has presented a prima facie case 
showing that an applicant submitted a materially false application for 
registration, the burden shifts to Applicant to show why he can be 
trusted with a registration. Morall v. Drug Enf't Admin., 412 F.3d 165, 
181 (D.C. Cir. 2005); Jones Total Health Care Pharmacy, LLC v. Drug 
Enf't Admin., 881 F.3d 823, 830 (11th Cir. 2018); Garrett Howard Smith, 
M.D., 83 FR 18882, 18904 (2018). The issue of trust is a fact-dependent 
determination based on the circumstances presented by the individual 
practitioner. Jeffrey Stein, M.D., 84 FR 46968, 46972 (2019); see also 
Jones Total Health Care Pharmacy, 881 F.3d at 833. Historically, the 
Agency has considered acceptance of responsibility, egregiousness, and 
deterrence when making this assessment.
    Specifically, the Agency requires the practitioner to accept 
responsibility for his or her violation. Jones Total Health Care 
Pharmacy, 881 F.3d at 833; ALRA Labs, Inc. v. Drug Enf't Admin., 54 
F.3d 450, 452 (7th Cir. 1995). Acceptance of responsibility must be 
unequivocal. Janet S. Pettyjohn, D.O., 89 FR 82639, 82641 (2024); 
Mohammed Asgar, M.D., 83 FR 29569, 29573 (2018); see also Jones Total 
Health Care Pharmacy, 881 F.3d at 830-31. In addition, the Agency 
considers the egregiousness and extent of the misconduct in determining 
the appropriate sanction. Jones Total Health Care Pharmacy, 881 F.3d at 
834 & n.4. The Agency also considers the need to deter similar acts by 
Applicant and by future applicants for registration. Stein, 84 FR at 
46972-73.
    Here, Applicant did not timely request a hearing, or timely or 
properly answer the allegations, and was therefore deemed to be in 
default. 21 CFR 1301.43(c)(1), (e), (f)(1); RFAA, at 1-4. To date, 
Applicant has not filed a motion with the Office of the Administrator 
to excuse the default. 21 CFR 1301.43(c)(1). Applicant has thus failed 
to answer the allegations contained in the OSC and has not otherwise 
availed himself of the opportunity to refute the Government's case. As 
such, Applicant has not accepted responsibility for the proven 
violations, has made no representations regarding his future compliance 
with the CSA, and has not made any demonstration that he can be trusted 
with registration.
    Moreover, the evidence presented by the Government shows that 
Applicant used another person's license number on two applications to 
falsely represent that he possessed state authority to handle 
controlled substances, further demonstrating that Applicant cannot be 
trusted with the responsibilities of holding a controlled substances 
registration. To permit Applicant to receive a registration under these 
circumstances would send a dangerous message that fraud is an 
acceptable means of acquiring a DEA registration and that DEA does not 
require truthfulness from applicants and registrants.
    Accordingly, the Agency will order the denial of Applicant's 
applications.\9\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \9\ In this matter there are two separate and distinct grounds 
by which the Government proposed denial, Applicant's lack of state 
authority and his material falsification; each ground, standing 
alone, supports the Agency's decision to deny.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Order

    Pursuant to 28 CFR 0.100(b) and the authority vested in me by 21 
U.S.C. 823 and 824, I hereby deny the pending applications for a DEA 
Certificate of Registration, Control Nos. W24128628C and W24092701C, 
submitted by Michael Bouknight, as well as any other pending 
applications of Michael Bouknight for additional registration in 
Pennsylvania. This Order is effective August 13, 2025.

Signing Authority

    This document of the Drug Enforcement Administration was signed on 
July 8, 2025, by Acting Administrator Robert J. Murphy. That document 
with the original signature and date is maintained by DEA. For 
administrative purposes only, and in compliance with requirements of 
the Office of the Federal Register, the undersigned DEA Federal 
Register Liaison Officer has been authorized to sign and submit the 
document in electronic format for publication, as an official document 
of

[[Page 31251]]

DEA. This administrative process in no way alters the legal effect of 
this document upon publication in the Federal Register.

Heather Achbach,
Federal Register Liaison Officer, Drug Enforcement Administration.
[FR Doc. 2025-13117 Filed 7-11-25; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4410-09-P