DEA - Drug Scheduling (Controlled Substances Act)

Tier 1: Established: peer-reviewed research or government health authority
Publisher: U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration · Published: August 14, 2026 · Accessed: August 14, 2026

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Claims this source supports

• Drugs, substances and certain chemicals are classified into five schedules depending on the drug's acceptable medical use and its abuse or dependence potential.
• Schedule I drugs have a high potential for abuse and the potential to create severe psychological and/or physical dependence; they have no currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States.
• A substance need not be listed as a controlled substance to be treated as a Schedule I substance for criminal prosecution if it meets the Schedule I criteria - the scheduling list is a general reference, not exhaustive.