Definition of Controlled Substance Schedules Under the Controlled Substances Act

Drugs and other substances that are considered controlled substances under the Controlled Substances Act (CSA) are divided into five schedules.  An updated and complete list of the schedules is published annually in Title 21 Code of Federal Regulations (C.F.R.) §§ 1308.11 through 1308.15.  Substances are placed in their respective schedules based on whether they have a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States, their relative abuse potential, and the likelihood of causing dependence when abused.

FIVE SCHEDULE for CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES

(1)  SCHEDULE I

(A)   The drug or other substance has a high potential for abuse.

(B)   The drug or other substance has no currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States.

(C)   There is a lack of accepted safety for use of the drug or other substance under medical supervision.

(2)  SCHEDULE II

(A)   The drug or other substance has a high potential for abuse.

(B)   The drug or other substance has a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States or a currently accepted medical use with severe restrictions.

(C)   Abuse of the drug or other substances may lead to severe psychological or physical dependence.

(3)  SCHEDULE III

(A)  The drug or other substance has a potential for abuse less than the drugs or other substances in schedules I and II.

(B)   The drug or other substance has a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States.

(C)   Abuse of the drug or other substance may lead to moderate or low physical dependence or high psychological dependence.

(4)  SCHEDULE IV

(A)   The drug or other substance has a low potential for abuse relative to the drugs or other substances in schedule III.

(B)   The drug or other substance has a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States.

(C)   Abuse of the drug or other substance may lead to limited physical dependence or psychological dependence relative to the drugs or other substances in schedule III.

(5)  SCHEDULE V

(A)   The drug or other substance has a low potential for abuse relative to the drugs or other substances in schedule IV.

(B)   The drug or other substance has a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States.

(C)   Abuse of the drug or other substance may lead to limited physical dependence or psychological dependence relative to the drugs or other substances in schedule IV.