DEA
Drug Enforcement Agency
The Controlled Substances Act is the federal statute that regulates the manufacture and distribution of controlled substances such as hallucinogens, narcotics, depressants, and stimulants. The Act categorizes drugs into five classifications or “schedules” based on their potential for abuse, status in international treaties, and any medical benefits they may provide. Generally speaking, drugs included in Schedule 1 are the most strictly regulated, because they are deemed to have no medical value. Some examples of drugs and their classifications are:
Schedule 1: Ecstasy, LSD, and heroin. Marijuana is also considered a Schedule 1 drug, despite studies finding it to have medical uses.
Schedule 2: Cocaine and methamphetamine.
Schedule 3: Anabolic steroids, ketamine, testosterone.
Schedule 4: Ambien, Xanax, and Valium.
Schedule 5: Lyrica and cough suppressants.