Editing Controlled Substances Act (section)

==Schedules of controlled substances==
There are five different schedules of controlled substances, numbered I{{ndash}}V. The CSA describes the different schedules based on three factors:

# Potential for [[substance abuse|abuse]]: How likely is this drug to be abused?
# Accepted medical use: Is this drug used as a treatment in the United States?
# Safety and potential for [[drug addiction|addiction]]: Is this drug safe? How likely is this drug to cause addiction? What kinds of addiction?

The following table gives a summary of the different schedules.<ref name=schedules>[https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/21/812 21 U.S.C. § 812 {{ndash}} Schedules of controlled substances].</ref>

{| class="wikitable" style="margin: 1em auto 1em auto;"
! scope="col" |
! scope="col" | Potential for Abuse
! scope="col" | Accepted Medical Use?
! scope="col" | Potential for Addiction
|-style="text-align:center;"
| '''Schedule I''' || High || None || Drug is not safe to use, even under medical supervision
|- style="text-align:center;"
| '''Schedule II''' || High || Yes; sometimes allowed<br>only with "severe restrictions" || Abusing the drug can cause severe physical and mental addiction
|-style="text-align:center;"
| '''Schedule III''' || Medium{{efn|Less than the drugs in Schedule I and Schedule II}} || Yes || Abusing the drug can cause severe mental addiction, or moderate physical addiction
|-style="text-align:center;"
| '''Schedule IV''' || Moderate{{efn|When compared with the drugs in Schedule III}} || Yes || Abusing the drug may lead to moderate mental or physical addiction
|-style="text-align:center;"
| '''Schedule V''' || Lowest{{efn|When compared with the drugs in Schedule IV}} || Yes || Abusing the drug may lead to mild mental or physical addiction
|}

Placing a drug or other substance in a certain schedule or removing it from a certain schedule is primarily based on [[21 USC]] §§ {{uscsub2|21|801}}, {{uscsub2|21|801a}}, {{uscsub2|21|802}}, {{uscsub2|21|811}}, {{uscsub2|21|812}}, {{uscsub2|21|813}}, and {{uscsub2|21|814}}. Every schedule otherwise requires finding and specifying the "potential for abuse" before a substance can be placed in that schedule.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www4.law.cornell.edu/uscode/html/uscode21/usc_sup_01_21_10_13.html|title=21 U.S. Code Chapter 13 - Drug Abuse Prevention and Control |website=LII / Legal Information Institute}}</ref> The specific classification of any given drug or other substance is usually a source of controversy, as is the purpose and effectiveness of the entire regulatory scheme.

{{blockquote|The term "controlled substance" means a drug or other substance, or immediate precursor, included in schedule I, II, III, IV, or V of part B of this subchapter. The term does not include distilled spirits, wine, absinthe, malt beverages, nicotine or tobacco, as those terms are defined or used in subtitle E of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.|{{uscsub|21|802|6}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/21/802- |title=21 U.S. Code § 802 - Definitions|website=LII / Legal Information Institute}}</ref>}}

Some have argued that this is an important exemption, since [[alcohol (drug)|alcohol]] and tobacco are two of the most widely used drugs in the United States.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.drugabusestatistics.samhsa.gov/Dependence/appendixc.htm|title=Appendix C: Measurement of Dependence, Abuse, Treatment, and Treatment Need – 2000 NHSDA – Substance Dependence, Abuse, and Treatment|publisher=SAMHSA, Office of Applied Studies|work=National Household Survey on Drug Abuse|year=2000|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130221214222/http://www.drugabusestatistics.samhsa.gov/Dependence/appendixc.htm|archive-date=February 21, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.drugabuse.gov/Infofacts/Tobacco.html|title=InfoFacts – Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products|access-date=October 30, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060922200550/http://www.drugabuse.gov/infofacts/tobacco.html|archive-date=September 22, 2006|url-status=dead}}</ref>

{{anchor|Schedule I drugs}}

===Schedule I===
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{{Main|List of Schedule I drugs (US)}}

Schedule I substances are described as those that have all of the following findings:
{{blockquote|1=
{{ordered list|type=A
 |The drug or other substance has a high potential for abuse.
 |The drug or other substance has no currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States.
 |There is a lack of accepted safety for use of the drug or other substance under medical supervision.<ref name="cornell1">{{USC|21|812}} – Schedules of controlled substances</ref>
}}}}

No prescriptions may be written for Schedule I substances, and such substances are subject to [[production quota]]s which the DEA imposes.

Under the DEA's interpretation of the CSA, a drug does not necessarily have to have the same "high potential for abuse" as heroin, for example, to merit placement in Schedule I:

{{blockquote|[W]hen it comes to a drug that is currently listed in schedule I, if it is undisputed that such drug has no currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States and a lack of accepted safety for use under medical supervision, and it is further undisputed that the drug has ''at least some potential for abuse sufficient to warrant control under the CSA'', the drug must remain in schedule I. In such circumstances, placement of the drug in schedules II through V would conflict with the CSA since such drug would not meet the criterion of "a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States." 21 USC 812(b). (emphasis added)<ref name=donnie>{{cite journal|last=Marshall|first=Donnie|title=Notice of denial of petition to reschedule marijuana|journal=Federal Register|date=20 March 2001|volume=66|issue=75|pages=20038–20076|url=https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2001/04/18/01-9306/notice-of-denial-of-petition|access-date=13 June 2013|publisher=[[Drug Enforcement Administration]]}}</ref>|[[Drug Enforcement Administration]]|Notice of denial of petition to reschedule marijuana (2001)}}

'''Drugs listed in this control schedule include:'''
* [[alpha-Methyltryptamine|αMT]] (alpha-methyltryptamine), a [[psychedelic drug|psychedelic]], [[stimulant]], and [[entactogen]] [[drug]] of the [[tryptamine]] class that was originally developed as an antidepressant by workers at [[Upjohn]] in the 1960s.
* [[Benzylpiperazine|BZP]] (benzylpiperazine), a synthetic stimulant once sold as a [[designer drug]]. It has been shown to be associated with an increase in seizures if taken alone.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Gee |first1=Paul |first2=Mark |last2=Gilbert |first3=Sandra |last3=Richardson |first4=Grant |last4=Moore |first5=Sharon |last5=Paterson |first6=Patrick |last6=Graham |title=Toxicity from the Recreational Use of 1-benzylpiperazine |journal=Clinical Toxicology |volume=46 |issue=9 |year=2008 |pages=802–07 |doi=10.1080/15563650802307602 |pmid=18821145|s2cid=12227038 }}</ref> Although the effects of BZP are not as potent as MDMA, it can produce neuroadaptations that can cause an increase in the potential for abuse of this drug.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Brennan |first1=K. |first2=A. |last2=Johnstone |first3=P. |last3=Fitzmaurice |first4=R. |last4=Lea |first5=S. |last5=Schenk |title=Chronic Benzylpiperazine (BZP) Exposure Produces Behavioral Sensitization and Cross-sensitization to Methamphetamine (MA) |journal=Drug and Alcohol Dependence |volume=88 |issue=2–3 |year=2007 |pages=204–13 |doi=10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2006.10.016 |pmid=17125936}}</ref>
* [[Cathinone]], an amphetamine-like stimulant found in the shrub ''[[Catha edulis]]'' ([[khat]]).
* [[Dimethyltryptamine|DMT]] (dimethyltryptamine), a naturally occurring [[psychedelic drug]] that is widespread throughout the plant kingdom and endogenous to the human body. DMT is the main psychoactive constituent in the [[psychedelic drug|psychedelic]] South American brew, [[ayahuasca]], for which the [[União do Vegetal|UDV]] are granted exemption from DMT's schedule I status on the grounds of religious freedom.
* [[Etorphine]], a semi-synthetic opioid possessing an analgesic potency approximately 1,000–3,000 times that of morphine.
* [[Gamma-hydroxybutyric acid|GHB]] (gamma-Hydroxybutyric acid), a general anesthetic and treatment for [[narcolepsy]]-cataplexy and alcohol withdrawal with a limited safe dosage range and poor ability to control pain when used as an anesthetic (severely limiting its usefulness).<ref>{{cite journal | last1 = Tunnicliff | first1 = G. | year = 1997 | title = Sites of action of gamma hydroxybutyrate (GHB)—A neuroactive drug with abuse potential | journal = Clinical Toxicology | volume = 35 | issue = 6| pages = 581–590 | doi = 10.3109/15563659709001236 | pmid = 9365423 }}</ref> It was placed in Schedule I in March 2000 after widespread recreational use led to increased [[emergency room]] visits, hospitalizations, and deaths.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Okun |first1=M. S. |last2=Boothy |first2=L. A. |last3=Bartfield |first3=R. B. |last4=Doering |first4=P. L. |year=2001 |title=GHB: An important pharmacologic and clinical update |journal= Journal of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences |volume=4| issue = 2 |pages=167–175|pmid=11466174 }}</ref> A specific formulation of this drug is also listed in Schedule III for limited uses, under the trademark [[Xyrem]].
* [[Heroin]] is the brand name for ''diacetylmorphine'' or ''morphine diacetate'', which is an inactive [[prodrug]] that exerts its effects after being converted into the major active metabolite morphine, and the minor metabolite 6-MAM - which itself is also rapidly converted to morphine. Some European countries still use it as a potent pain reliever in terminal cancer patients, and as second option, after [[morphine|morphine sulfate]]; it is about twice as potent, by weight, as morphine and, indeed, becomes morphine upon injection into the bloodstream. The two acetyl groups attached to the morphine make a prodrug which delivers morphine to the opioid receptors twice as fast as morphine can.
* [[Ibogaine]], a naturally occurring psychoactive substance found in plants in the family Apocynaceae. Some countries in North America use ibogaine as an alternative medicine treatment for opioid drug addiction. Ibogaine is also used for medicinal and ritual purposes within [[Africa]]n spiritual traditions of the [[Bwiti]].
* [[Lysergic acid diethylamide|LSD]] (lysergic acid diethylamide), a [[semi-synthetic]] [[psychedelic drug]] famous for its involvement in the [[counterculture of the 1960s]].
* [[Cannabis (drug)|Marijuana]] and its [[cannabinoid]]s. Pure (–)-trans-Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol is also listed in Schedule III for limited uses, under the trademark [[Marinol]]. As a result of ballot initiatives, [[Legality of cannabis by U.S. jurisdiction|many states]] have made recreational and medical use of marijuana legal, while other states have decriminalized possession of small amounts. Such measures operate only on state laws, and have no effect on federal law.<ref name=donnie /><ref name=Angelos>See ''United States v. Angelos'', 433 F.3d 738 ([[United States Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit|10th Cir.]] 2006) (55 years for three sales of marijuana).</ref> Whether such users would actually be prosecuted under federal law is a separate question with no definitive answer. Given the widespread medicinal use of cannabis, the maintenance of its Schedule I classification has been controversial, with many calling for a reclassification or holistic federal decriminalization. As of April 30, 2024, cannabis was set to be reclassified by the [[Drug Enforcement Administration|DEA]] as a Schedule III controlled substance.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Biden administration plans to drastically change federal rules on marijuana |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2024/04/30/dea-reclassifies-marijuana-reports/72865632007/ |access-date=April 30, 2024 |website=USA TODAY |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=April 30, 2024 |title=US drug control agency will move to reclassify marijuana in a historic shift, AP sources say |url=https://apnews.com/article/marijuana-biden-dea-criminal-justice-pot-f833a8dae6ceb31a8658a5d65832a3b8 |access-date=April 30, 2024 |website=AP News |language=en}}</ref>
* [[MDMA]] ("ecstasy" or "molly"), a [[stimulant]], [[psychedelic drug|psychedelic]], and [[Empathogen-entactogen|entactogenic]] drug which initially garnered attention in [[psychedelic therapy]] as a treatment for [[post-traumatic stress disorder]] (PTSD). The medical community originally agreed upon placing it as a Schedule III substance, but the government denied this suggestion, despite two court rulings by the DEA's administrative law judge that placing MDMA in Schedule I was illegal. It was temporarily unscheduled after the first administrative hearing from December 22, 1987 – July 1, 1988.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://maps.org/dea-mdma/|title=MAPS Legal History of MDMA|access-date=October 30, 2014|archive-date=August 5, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070805015508/http://maps.org/dea-mdma/|url-status=dead}}</ref>
* [[Mescaline]], a naturally occurring [[psychedelic drug]] and the main psychoactive constituent of [[peyote]] (''Lophophora williamsii''), [[Echinopsis pachanoi|San Pedro cactus]] (''Echinopsis pachanoi''), and [[Echinopsis peruviana|Peruvian torch cactus]] (''Echinopsis peruviana'').
* [[Methaqualone]] (Quaalude, Sopor, Mandrax), a sedative that was previously used for similar purposes as barbiturates, until it was rescheduled.
* [[Peyote]] (''Lophophora williamsii''), a cactus growing in nature primarily in northeastern Mexico; one of the few plants specifically scheduled, with a narrow exception to its legal status for religious use in Native American churches.
* [[Psilocybin]] and [[psilocin]], naturally occurring [[psychedelic drug]]s and the main psychoactive constituents of [[psilocybin mushroom]]s.
* Controlled substance analogues intended for human consumption, as defined by the [[Federal Analogue Act]].
In addition to the named substance, usually all possible ethers, esters, salts and stereoisomers of these substances are also controlled and also 'analogues', which are chemically similar chemicals.

{{anchor|Schedule II drugs}}

===Schedule II===
<!-- DO NOT MOVE THE ABOVE ANCHOR TAG.  See detailed comment under the "Schedule I" section. -->
{{Main|List of Schedule II drugs (US)}}

Schedule II substances are those that have the following findings:

{{blockquote|1=
{{ordered list|type=A
 |The drug or other substance has a high potential for abuse
 |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
 |Abuse of the drug or other substances may lead to severe psychological or physical dependence.<ref name="cornell1" />
}}}}

Except when dispensed directly to an ultimate user by a practitioner other than a pharmacist, no controlled substance in Schedule II, which is a prescription drug as determined under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (21 USC 301 ''et seq.''), may be dispensed without the written or electronically transmitted (21 CFR 1306.08) prescription of a practitioner, except that in emergency situations, as prescribed by the Secretary by regulation after consultation with the Attorney General, such drug may be dispensed upon oral prescription in accordance with section 503(b) of that Act (21 USC 353 (b)). With exceptions, an original prescription is always required even though faxing in a prescription in advance to a pharmacy by a prescriber is allowed.<ref name="deadiversion.usdoj.gov">{{cite web|title=Manuals – Practitioner's Manual – SECTION V|url=http://www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/pubs/manuals/pract/section5.htm|access-date=January 7, 2014|archive-date=January 7, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140107191947/http://www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/pubs/manuals/pract/section5.htm|url-status=dead}} Retrieved January 7, 2014</ref> Prescriptions shall be retained in conformity with the requirements of section 827 of this title. No prescription for a controlled substance in Schedule II may be refilled.<ref name="cornell2">{{cite web|url=https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/21/829-|title=21 U.S. Code § 829 - Prescriptions|website=LII / Legal Information Institute}}</ref>

These drugs vary in potency: for example [[fentanyl]] is about 80 times as potent as [[morphine]] ([[heroin]] is roughly two times as potent). More significantly, they vary in nature. Pharmacology and CSA scheduling have a weak relationship.

Because refills of prescriptions for Schedule II substances are not allowed, it can be burdensome to both the practitioner and the patient if the substances are to be used on a long-term basis. To provide relief, in 2007, {{CodeFedReg|21|1306.12}} was amended (at {{Federal Register|72|64921}}) to allow practitioners to write up to three prescriptions at once, to provide up to a 90-day supply, specifying on each the earliest date on which it may be filled.<ref>{{cite web |title=Issuance of Multiple Prescriptions for Schedule II Controlled Substances |url=http://www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/faq/mult_rx_faq.htm |publisher=[[United States Drug Enforcement Administration|U.S. DEA]], [[United States Department of Justice|U.S. DOJ]] |access-date=September 3, 2014 |date=November 2007 |archive-date=October 16, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121016215736/http://www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/faq/mult_rx_faq.htm |url-status=dead }}</ref>

Drugs in this schedule include:
* [[Amphetamine]] drugs including [[Adderall]], [[Dextroamphetamine]] (Dexedrine), [[Lisdexamfetamine]] (Vyvanse): treatment of [[ADHD]], [[narcolepsy]], severe [[obesity]] (limited use, dextroamphetamine only), [[binge eating disorder]] (lisdexamfetamine only). Originally placed in Schedule III, but moved to Schedule II in 1978 as part of the [[Psychotropic Substances Act (United States)|Psychotropic Substances Act]].
* [[Barbiturates]] (short-acting), such as [[pentobarbital]]
* [[Cocaine]]: used as a [[topical anesthetic]] or [[local anesthetic]] and to stop severe [[epistaxis]]
* [[Codeine]] (pure) and any drug for non-[[wikt:parenteral|parenteral]] administration containing the equivalent of more than 90&nbsp;mg of codeine per dosage unit;
* [[Diphenoxylate]] (pure)
* [[Fentanyl]] and most other strong pure [[opioid]] agonists, e.g. [[levorphanol]]
* [[Hydrocodone]] in ''any'' formulation since October 2014 (examples include Vicodin, Norco, Tussionex). Prior to October 2014, formulations containing hydrocodone and over-the-counter [[analgesic]]s such as [[Paracetamol|Acetaminophen]] and [[Ibuprofen]] were Schedule III.<ref>Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 163 / Pgs. 49661 - 49682 / August 22, 2014, DEA-Final Rule, Effective October 6, 2014 [https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2014-08-22/html/2014-19922.htm Text (162 KB)] [https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2014-08-22/pdf/2014-19922.pdf PDF (242 KB)]</ref>
* [[Hydromorphone]] (semi-synthetic opioid; active ingredient in [[Dilaudid]], [[Palladone]])
* [[Methadone]]: treatment of [[heroin]] addiction, extreme chronic pain
* [[Methamphetamine]]: treatment of [[ADHD]] (rare), severe [[obesity]] (limited use) under the brandname Desoxyn.
* [[Methylphenidate]] (Ritalin, Concerta), [[Dexmethylphenidate]] (Focalin): treatment of [[ADHD]], [[narcolepsy]]
* [[Morphine]]: a pain medication of the opiate family.
* [[Nabilone]] (Cesamet) – A synthetic [[cannabinoid]]. An analogue to [[dronabinol]] (Marinol) which is a Schedule III drug.
* [[Opium]] tincture ([[Laudanum]]): a potent [[antidiarrheal]]
* [[Oxycodone]] (semi-synthetic opioid; active ingredient in [[Percocet]], [[OxyContin]], and [[Percodan]])
* [[Oxymorphone]] (semi-synthetic opioid; active ingredient in Opana)
* [[Pentobarbital|Nembutal (Pentobarbital)]] – [[barbiturate]] medication originally developed for [[narcolepsy]]; primarily used today for [[Assisted suicide|physician assisted suicide]] and [[euthanasia]] of animals.
* [[Pethidine]] ([[United States Adopted Name|USAN]]: Meperidine; Demerol)
* [[Phencyclidine]] (PCP) - Formerly used as veterinary anesthetic under the trade name Sernylan and before then as an injectable anesthetic under the trade name Sernyl.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.unodc.org/LSS/SubstanceGroup/Details/6bf165ed-82e7-47e0-9eaa-daacc42d99cd |title=Details for Phencyclidine-type substances}}</ref>
* [[Secobarbital]] (Seconal)
* [[Tapentadol]] (Nucynta) – A drug with mixed opioid agonist and norepinephrine re-uptake inhibitor activity.

{{anchor|Schedule III drugs}}

===Schedule III===
<!-- DO NOT MOVE THE ABOVE ANCHOR TAG. See detailed comment under the "Schedule I" section. -->
{{Main|List of Schedule III drugs (US)}}

Schedule III substances are those that have the following findings:

{{blockquote|1=
{{ordered list|type=A
 |The drug or other substance has a potential for abuse less than the drugs or other substances in Schedules I and II.
 |The drug or other substance has a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States.
 |Abuse of the drug or other substance may lead to moderate or low physical dependence or high psychological dependence.<ref name="cornell1"/>
}}}}

Except when dispensed directly by a practitioner, other than a pharmacist, to an ultimate user, no controlled substance in Schedule III or IV, which is a prescription drug as determined under the [[Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act]] (21 USC 301 ''et seq.''), may be dispensed without a written, electronically transmitted, or oral prescription in conformity with section 503(b) of that Act (21 USC 353 (b)). Such prescriptions may not be filled or refilled more than six months after the date thereof or be refilled more than five times after the date of the prescription unless renewed by the practitioner.<ref name="cornell2"/>

A prescription for controlled substances in Schedules III, IV, and V issued by a practitioner, may be communicated either orally, in writing, electronically transmitted or by facsimile to the pharmacist, and may be refilled if so authorized on the prescription or by call-in.<ref name="deadiversion.usdoj.gov"/> Control of wholesale distribution is somewhat less stringent than Schedule II drugs. Provisions for emergency situations are less restrictive within the "closed system" of the Controlled Substances Act than for Schedule II though no schedule has provisions to address circumstances where the closed system is unavailable, nonfunctioning or otherwise inadequate.

Drugs in this schedule include:
* [[Ketamine]], a drug originally developed as a safer, shorter-acting replacement for [[Phencyclidine|PCP]] (mainly for use as a human anesthetic) but has since become popular as a veterinary and pediatric anesthetic;
* [[Anabolic steroid]]s (including [[prohormone]]s such as [[androstenedione]]); the specific end molecule [[Testosterone (medication)|testosterone]] in many of its forms (Androderm, AndroGel, Testosterone Cypionate, and Testosterone Enanthate) are labeled as Schedule III while low-dose testosterone when compounded with estrogen derivatives have been exempted (from scheduling) by the FDA<ref>Exempt Anabolic Steroids (21 CFR § 1308.33 and 21 CFR § 1308.34) February 5, 2015, Drug Enforcement Administration Office of Diversion Control Drug and Chemical Evaluation Section</ref>
* Intermediate-acting [[barbiturate]]s, such as [[talbutal]] or [[butalbital]]
* [[Buprenorphine]] (semi-synthetic opioid; active in [[Suboxone]], [[Subutex]])
* [[Dihydrocodeine]] when compounded with other substances, to a certain dosage and concentration.
* FDA-approved [[sodium oxybate]] products (e.g. Xyrem, Xywav and Lumryz)—preparations of [[gamma-Hydroxybutyric acid|GHB]] used to treat [[narcolepsy]]. These products are in Schedule III but with a [[Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategies|restricted distribution system]]. All other forms or preparations of GHB are in Schedule I.
* [[Tetrahydrocannabinol|Marinol]], synthetically prepared [[tetrahydrocannabinol]] (officially referred to by its [[International Nonproprietary Name|INN]], [[tetrahydrocannabinol|dronabinol]]) used to treat [[nausea]] and [[vomiting]] caused by [[chemotherapy]], as well as [[Anorexia (symptom)|appetite loss]] caused by [[AIDS]].
* [[Paregoric]], an [[antidiarrheal]] and [[anti-tussive]], which contains [[opium]] combined with [[camphor]] (which makes it less addiction-prone than [[laudanum]], which is in Schedule II).
* [[Phendimetrazine]] Tartrate, a stimulant synthesized for use as an [[anorexiant]].
* [[Benzphetamine]] HCl (Didrex), a stimulant designed for use as an [[anorexiant]].
* Fast-acting barbiturates such as [[secobarbital]] (Seconal) and [[pentobarbital]] (Nembutal), when combined with one or more additional active ingredient(s) not in Schedule II (e.g., Carbrital (no longer marketed), a combination of pentobarbital and [[carbromal]]).
* [[Ergine]] (lysergic acid amide), listed as a sedative but also has psychedelic effects such as visual and auditory effects.<ref>{{cite journal | last1 = Halpern | first1 = J.H. | year = 2004 | title = Hallucinogens and dissociative agents naturally growing in the United States | journal = Pharmacology & Therapeutics | volume = 102 | issue = 2| pages = 131–138 | doi=10.1016/j.pharmthera.2004.03.003 | pmid=15163594| s2cid = 30734515 }}</ref><ref>Schultes, R.E. and Hofmann, A., 1980. ''The botany and chemistry of hallucinogens'', Charles C. Thomas, Springfield, IL.</ref> An inefficient precursor to its ''N'', ''N''-diethyl analogue, [[Lysergic acid diethylamide|LSD]], ergine occurs naturally in the seeds of the common garden flowers ''[[Turbina corymbosa]]'', ''[[Ipomoea tricolor]]'', and ''[[Argyreia nervosa]]''.
* [[Perampanel]] (Fycompa), an [[anticonvulsant]]
<!-- This seems to have been inserted in wrong place as the federal Schedule doesn't vary by state: *pseudoephedrine (sudafed) is a schedule 3 in the state of Oregon. -->

{{anchor|Schedule IV drugs}}

===Schedule IV===
<!-- DO NOT MOVE THE ABOVE ANCHOR TAG.  See detailed comment under the "Schedule I" section. -->
{{Main|List of Schedule IV drugs (US)}}

Placement on schedules; findings required
Schedule IV substances are those that have the following findings:
{{blockquote|1=
{{ordered list|type=A
 |The drug or other substance has a low potential for abuse relative to the drugs or other substances in Schedule III
 |The drug or other substance has a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States
 |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<ref name="cornell1"/>
}}}}

Control measures are similar to Schedule III. Prescriptions for Schedule IV drugs may be refilled up to five times within a six-month period. A prescription for controlled substances in Schedules III, IV, and V issued by a practitioner, may be communicated either orally, in writing, electronically transmitted or by facsimile to the pharmacist, and may be refilled if so authorized on the prescription or by call-in.<ref name="deadiversion.usdoj.gov"/>

Drugs in this schedule include:
* [[Benzodiazepine]]s, such as [[alprazolam]] (Xanax), [[chlordiazepoxide]] (Librium), [[clonazepam]] (Klonopin), [[diazepam]] (Valium), [[midazolam]] (Versed), and [[Lorazepam]] (Ativan), as well as:
** [[temazepam]] (Restoril) (some states require specially coded prescriptions for [[temazepam]])
** [[flunitrazepam]] (Rohypnol) (flunitrazepam is not FDA approved making it an illegal drug in the United States)
** [[oxazepam]] (Serax, Serepax, Seresta, Alepam, Opamox, Oxamin)
* The [[Nonbenzodiazepine|benzodiazepine-like]] [[Z-drug]]s: [[zolpidem]] (Ambien), [[zopiclone]] (Imovane), [[eszopiclone]] (Lunesta), and [[zaleplon]] (Sonata) (zopiclone is not commercially available in the U.S.)
* [[Chloral hydrate]], a sedative-hypnotic
* Long-acting [[barbiturates]] such as [[phenobarbital]]
* Some partial [[agonist]] opioid analgesics, such as [[pentazocine]] (Talwin)
* The [[eugeroic]] drug [[modafinil]] (sold in the U.S. as Provigil) as well as its ''(R)''-enantiomer [[armodafinil]] (sold in the U.S. as Nuvigil)
* [[Difenoxin]], an [[antidiarrheal]] drug, when combined with atropine (such as Motofen) (difenoxin is 2–3 times more potent than [[diphenoxylate]], the active ingredient in [[Lomotil]], which is in Schedule V)
* [[Tramadol]] (Ultram), an opioid analgesic
*  [[Carisoprodol]] (Soma) has become a Schedule IV medication as of January 11, 2012<ref>[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 238 (Monday, December 12, 2011)] [Rules and Regulations] [Pages 77330-77360]</ref>
* [[Suvorexant]] and [[Lemborexant]], [[Hypocretin (orexin) receptor 1|orexinergic]] sedatives

{{Anchor|Schedule V drugs}}

===Schedule V===
<!-- DO NOT MOVE THE ABOVE ANCHOR TAG. See detailed comment under the "Schedule I" section. -->
{{Main|List of Schedule V drugs (US)}}

Schedule V substances are those that have the following findings:
{{blockquote|1=
{{ordered list|type=A
 |The drug or other substance has a low potential for abuse relative to the drugs or other substances in schedule IV
 |The drug or other substance has a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States
 |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.<ref name="cornell1"/>
}}}}

No controlled substance in Schedule V which is a drug may be distributed or dispensed other than for a medical purpose.<ref name="cornell2"/> A prescription for controlled substances in Schedules III, IV, and V issued by a practitioner, may be communicated either orally, in writing, electronically transmitted or by facsimile to the pharmacist, and may be refilled if so authorized on the prescription or by call-in.<ref name="deadiversion.usdoj.gov"/>

Drugs in this schedule include:
* Cough suppressants containing small amounts of codeine (e.g., [[promethazine]]+codeine);
* Preparations containing small amounts of opium or [[diphenoxylate]] (used to treat diarrhea);
* Some [[anticonvulsant]]s, such as [[pregabalin]] (Lyrica), [[lacosamide]] (Vimpat), [[brivaracetam]] (Briviact), and [[retigabine]] ([[ezogabine]]) (Potiga/Trobalt);
* [[Pyrovalerone]] (used to treat [[Fatigue#Chronic|chronic fatigue]] and as an [[appetite suppressant]] for [[weight loss]]);
* Some centrally-acting antidiarrheals, such as [[diphenoxylate]] (Lomotil) when mixed with [[atropine]] (to make it poisonous, if taken at euphoria-inducing dosages). [[Difenoxin]] with atropine (Motofen) has been moved to Schedule IV. Without atropine, these drugs are in Schedule II.
* [[Cannabidiol]], only in a [[cannabis]]-derived pharmaceutical formulation marketed by [[GW Pharmaceuticals]] as '''Epidiolex'''. Other CBD formulations remain Schedule I, except for those derived from hemp which are unscheduled but still FDA-regulated.<ref name="fda-apr2019">{{cite web |title=FDA Regulation of Cannabis and Cannabis-Derived Products: Questions and Answers |url=https://www.fda.gov/news-events/public-health-focus/fda-regulation-cannabis-and-cannabis-derived-products-questions-and-answers |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190429051623/https://www.fda.gov/news-events/public-health-focus/fda-regulation-cannabis-and-cannabis-derived-products-questions-and-answers |url-status=dead |archive-date=April 29, 2019 |publisher=US Food and Drug Administration |access-date=May 18, 2019 |date=April 2, 2019}}</ref>

===Controlled by other federal laws for legal recreational use===
These psychoactive drugs are not controlled by the act, and are also allowed for sale intended for [[recreational drug use|recreational use]] at the federal level (others are allowed for sale as [[dietary supplement]]s, but not specifically regulated or intended for recreational use):
* [[Alcohol (drug)|Alcohol]] (ethanol), a sedative found in [[alcoholic drinks]]. Per the [[National Minimum Drinking Age Act]] (which is voluntarily abided by all 50 U.S. states), sale is limited to persons 21-years-old and above only.<ref>{{cite journal |title=An Act To amend the Surface Transportation Assistance Act of 1982 to require States to use at least 8 per centum of their highway safety apportionments for developing and implementing comprehensive programs concerning the use of child restraint sys- tems in motor vehicles, and for other purposes. |journal=Public Law, United States Government |date=July 17, 1984 |volume=98–363 |url=https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/STATUTE-98/pdf/STATUTE-98-Pg435.pdf |access-date=December 10, 2022}}</ref> Sale regulated by the [[Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives]] (ATF) and less commonly the [[Food and Drug Administration]] (FDA).{{citation needed|date=May 2024}} Alcohol was formerly illegal under the [[Eighteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution|Eighteenth Amendment to the Constitution]] from 1919, until the [[Twenty-first Amendment to the United States Constitution|Twenty-first Amendment]] repealed it in 1933.<ref>{{cite web |title=Amendment XXI. Repeal of Prohibition |url=https://www.law.cornell.edu/constitution-conan/amendment-21 |website=LII / Legal Information Institute |access-date=December 10, 2022 |language=en}}</ref>
* [[Caffeine]], a stimulant found in [[coffee]], [[chocolate]]; and some [[tea]]s and [[soft drink]]s. It is regulated by the FDA under the [[Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act]], and drinks cannot contain more than 200 parts per million (0.02%) of caffeine. There is no federal age restriction for caffeine-containing products.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Rosenfeld |first1=Leah S. |last2=Mihalov |first2=Jeremy J. |last3=Carlson |first3=Susan J. |last4=Mattia |first4=Antonia |title=Regulatory status of caffeine in the United States |journal=Nutrition Reviews |date=October 2014 |volume=72 |issue=Suppl 1 |pages=23–33 |doi=10.1111/nure.12136 |pmid=25293541 |issn=1753-4887|doi-access=free }}</ref> Also available medically in some pain medications (usually in combination with other drugs, like in [[aspirin/paracetamol/caffeine|aspirin/acetaminophen/caffeine]]).
* [[Nicotine]], a stimulant found in [[tobacco]] (including [[cigarette]]s and [[cigar]]s) and [[electronic cigarette]]s. Also used medically in [[nicotine replacement therapy]]. The minimum purchasing age of tobacco and e-cigarettes in the United States is 21-years-old, per the Synar amendment to the [[Public Health Service Act]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Tobacco 21 |url=https://www.fda.gov/tobacco-products/retail-sales-tobacco-products/tobacco-21|website=FDA|date=September 26, 2022 |access-date=June 20, 2023}}</ref> Sales are regulated by the ATF and FDA.