Sam Bankman-Fried's access to ADHD medication raises concerns

Bankman-Fried’s defense said the shortage of Adderall, aka “amphetamine,” a stimulant drug for the central nervous system, would affect attention during the trial.

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SBF’s lawyers ask court for more medication

According to motions filed by Bankman-Fried’s legal team, the former cryptocurrency billionaire has been facing a shortage of Adderall during his trial.

The motion states, “The defence is increasingly concerned that Mr. Bankman-Fried, because of his lack of access to Adderall, will not be able to concentrate as usual and meaningfully participate in court arguments.” “The defense statement,” his lawyer wrote in the letter.

Bankman-Fried’s legal team reports that their client is currently only taking one dose of Adderall at 4 or 6 a.m., which reportedly fades away before the trial begins at 9:30 a.m. Previous court documents indicate that SBF typically takes 10 mg of adela three to four times a day.

Sam Bankman-Fried’s contact with Adderall

Sam Bankman-Fried has faced challenges in acquiring Adderall. Previously, while he was held in a Brooklyn jail after his bail was revoked, there was controversy over his access to medication.

Although Judge Lewis Kaplan granted a motion allowing him “uninterrupted access” to his prescription, his attorney reported in August that Bankman-Fried had not received a prescription for 11 days. Attorney Mark Cohen also revealed that his client’s supply of Emsam, a transdermal patch used to treat depression, is limited and decreasing.

In light of the recent complaint, Sam Bankman-Fried’s attorneys plan to take extended-release medication on Monday to address the issue. However, they are still determining the drug’s availability within the Prison Service and its effectiveness against the former CEO of FTX. If the plan fails, they will ask that the trial be postponed on Tuesday until a suitable solution is found or self-administration is allowed.