Author: Charles Frank

Drug Classifications: Schedule I, II, III, IV, V Independent Health & Wellness Journalism

But that doesn’t necessarily mean the federal government views marijuana and heroin as equally dangerous drugs, or that it considers marijuana to be more dangerous than meth or cocaine. Schedule 1 and 2 drugs are both described as having “a high potential for abuse” — a vague description that doesn’t rank drugs in the two categories as equal or different. The potential for abuse for Schedule III/IIIN medicines is less than substances in drugs classified as Schedule I or II/IIN and abuse may lead to moderate or low physical dependence or high psychological dependence. Despite a growing body of evidence in support of reclassification, the DEA decided that marijuana would retain its Schedule I status in 2016. To many, this decision was considered a holdover from the War on Drugs mentality, in which any substance once deemed illicit can find no saving grace. The DEA classifies substances with a low to moderate potential for physical and psychological dependence under Schedule III.

Is there an alternative to the scheduling system?

  1. They are classified on a scale of 1–5, with Schedule I substances being the most dangerous, and Schedule V being the least dangerous.
  2. Examples of those would be insulin, blood pressure and cholesterol medicines.
  3. Penalties for possessing or distributing controlled substances are scaled in severity, based upon the schedules and amounts of drugs involved in a given situation.
  4. Beyond the scheduling system, the federal government imposes criminal trafficking penalties for drugs that don’t always align with their scheduling.
  5. After that, the drug’s medical value and relative potential for abuse are evaluated to decide where on the scale it lands.

Since then many substances have been added, removed, or transferred from one schedule to another. Controlled substances are categorized according to the impact they have upon users, the potential fordrug abuse, the potential for dependency, and their level of medicinal benefit. They are classified on a scale of 1–5, with Schedule I substances being the most dangerous, and Schedule V being the least dangerous. The big distinction between schedule 1 and 2 substances, instead, is whether the federal government thinks a drug has medical value.

How does the US classify illicit drugs like marijuana?

For example, the DEA in 2014 announced it had rescheduled hydrocodone combination products, or opioid-based prescription painkillers, from schedule 3 to schedule 2. According to federal law, no prescriptions may be written for Schedule I substances, and they are not readily available for clinical use. In 1970 the FDA released the following drug classifications, or drug schedules, under the Controlled Substance Act (CSA). The complete list of Schedule I substances is as follows.1 The Administrative Controlled Substances Code Number for each substance is included. Schedule I drugs are most frequently acquired through illicit means on the street.

Ready to Break Free From Addiction?

Check out this video where MedShadow discusses the unreasonable requirements put on marijuana researchers. Individuals who order, handle, store, and distribute controlled substances must be registered with the DEA to perform these functions. They must maintain accurate inventories, records and security of the controlled substances. Substances in this schedule have a low potential for abuse relative to substances in Schedule III.

The DEA even sets strict limits on the production of schedule 1 and 2 drugs, although the limits vary from drug to drug. Only one place in the US — a University of Mississippi farm — is currently allowed to grow marijuana under federal regulations, and the pot is limited to research purposes. By comparison, several private companies produce oxycodone, a schedule 2 substance, and use the drug for prescription painkillers. These drugs are considered to have a low potential for abuse relative to substances listed in Schedule IV and consist primarily of preparations containing limited quantities of certain narcotics. This category is for drugs that have a high potential for abuse which may lead to severe psychological or physical dependence. Drug Schedule II/IIN substances are considered to have medical value.

Schedule V controlled substances

A substance (not included on these lists) may also be regulated as a controlled substance analogue. See 21 U.S.C. §802(32)(A) for the definition of a controlled substance analogue and 21 U.S.C. §813 for the schedule. A substance does not need to be listed as a controlled substance by the DEA to be treated as a Schedule I substance for criminal prosecution. We publish material that is researched, cited, edited and reviewed by licensed medical professionals. The information we provide is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. It should not be used in place of the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider.

Controlled Substances & CSA Schedules

For updated and republished schedules of controlled substances established by this section, see Code of Federal Regulations, Part 1308 of Title 21, Food and Drugs. Drugs listed in schedule I have no currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States and, therefore, may not be prescribed, administered, or dispensed for medical use. In contrast, drugs listed in schedules II-V have some accepted medical use and may be prescribed, administered, or dispensed for medical use. Schedule IV is the next classification level down in the DEA’s roster.

98–473, § 507(c), in schedule II(a)(4) added applicability to cocaine and ecgonine and their salts, isomers, etc. The act was amended numerous times over the six decades that followed, but the greatest change took effect in the early 1970s with the CSA. A companion to Nixon’s War on Drugs, the Controlled Substances Act gave the DEA and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) the power to determine which substances are fit for medical use. Addiction Resource aims to provide only the most current, accurate information in regards to addiction and addiction treatment, which means we only reference the most credible sources available.

Spring Hill focuses on treating substance use and co-occurring disorders, emphasizing a comprehensive approach to recovery that includes both evidence-based and holistic therapies. A drug’s schedule sets the groundwork for the federal regulation of a controlled substance. Schedule I drugs have no currently accepted medical use and aren’t considered safe to use even under medical supervision.