The Controlled Substance Act (CSA) was established in 1970 to maintain the use, manufacture and distribution of substances. These regulations help establish whether a substance can be obtained by consumers or used for medical purposes.
Not all substances have the same restrictions, however. Drugs that have a higher potency for addiction and dependence usually have stronger restrictions. To help ensure drugs are managed appropriately, substances are classified with schedules. Here is what you should know:
What are the 5 drug schedules?
Substances are categorized into one of five different schedules. Of the five, Schedule III, IV and V substances have the lowest tendency to lead to addiction and abuse – Schedule III substances being the strongest of the three. Schedule V substances often include cough and allergy medicine for example. Schedule III (testosterone, ketamine, etc.) and IV drugs (Xanax, Ambien, etc.) are more potent and can often be purchased with a prescription or used in medical facilities.
The two strongest substances include Schedule I and II drugs. These substances have the most restrictions. While some Schedule II drugs (cocaine, Adderall, etc.) may be used for various medical uses, Schedule I drugs (heroin, peyote, etc.) do not have any accepted medical uses because of the dangers associated with them.
Why does this matter for a criminal case?
Illegal drug possession can carry serious criminal charges. To help establish drug charges, a court may consider the type of drug that was in possession. Drugs with higher schedules may carry harsher charges than lower schedules. This is an important detail to consider when establishing a legal defense for drug possession.