List of Schedule I controlled substances (U.S.)

[[List of Schedule I Controlled Substances (U.S.)

The List of Schedule I Controlled Substances]] in the United States is a categorization under the Controlled Substances Act (CSA) that identifies drugs, substances, and certain chemicals used in the manufacturing of drugs that have no currently accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse. Schedule I drugs are considered the most dangerous class of drugs with a severe potential for abuse which may lead to severe psychological or physical dependence. This list is maintained by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and is updated as substances are found to meet these criteria.

Overview

The Controlled Substances Act, established in 1970, is the statutory framework through which the federal government regulates the manufacture, importation, possession, use, and distribution of certain substances. The DEA categorizes drugs, substances, and certain chemicals into five distinct categories or schedules depending upon the drug’s acceptable medical use and the drug’s abuse or dependency potential. Schedule I represents the category with the highest potential for abuse and no accepted medical use in the United States.

Criteria for Schedule I Classification

A substance is placed in Schedule I if it is found to satisfy the following criteria:

• 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.

Examples of Schedule I Drugs

• Cannabis (marijuana)
• Lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD)
• 3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA, Ecstasy)
• Heroin
• Methaqualone (Quaalude)
• Peyote

Controversies and Criticisms

The inclusion of certain substances, such as cannabis, in Schedule I has been a subject of controversy. Critics argue that some Schedule I drugs have medicinal benefits and that their classification restricts legitimate research into their potential medical uses.

Regulation and Enforcement

The DEA, in coordination with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), is responsible for the regulation and enforcement of the CSA. This includes scheduling decisions, which are made based on scientific and medical evaluation provided by the FDA.

See Also

• Controlled Substances Act
• Drug Enforcement Administration
• War on Drugs
• Drug policy of the United States

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Please note that this article does not contain an exhaustive list of all Schedule I controlled substances as defined by the DEA in the United States. The classification of substances can change based on new research and regulatory decisions.