Controlled substance
From Drug Rehab Wiki
A controlled substance is any drug or substance listed Title II of the Comprehensive Drug Abuse Prevention and Control Act, commonly known as the Controlled Substance Act passed by Congress in 1970. Most of the drugs on the list are legal to use by prescription only. However, the so-called Schedule I Controlled Substances are illegal to use at all because the Federal Food and Drug Administration has determined that they have no medical use and are highly addictive.
The law gives the federal government the power to regulate how these controlled substances are manufactured, sold, and distributed in the United States, and to impose fines and prison sentences on those who violate these drug laws. The Drug Enforcement Administration has the power to enforce the law.
The law classifies controlled substances into five categories or schedules, based on their potential for addiction and medical use. Schedule 1 drugs have high potential for abuse, could be unsafe, and have no medical uses. They are illegal to use or prescribe. Schedule 2 have high potential for abuse that could lead to psychological or physical dependence, but they have accepted medical purposes and are legal to prescribe. Schedule 3 drugs have less potential for abuse than those in Schedules 1 and 2, and can be prescribed for medical conditions. Schedule 4 medicines have a low potential for abuse and medical uses, and Schedule 5 have medical uses and a lower potential for abuse than even Schedule 4 drugs. You cannot legally obtain controlled substances without a prescription. There are also federal laws about how certain controlled substances must be stored.
See also:
Schedule I Controlled Substance
Schedule II Controlled Substance
Schedule III Controlled Substance
