Practical Law Glossary Item w-021-7947 (Approx. 4 pages)
Glossary
Controlled Substances Act (CSA)
The statute providing a legal framework for the regulation of certain drugs that pose a risk of abuse, often referred to as controlled substances. The CSA covers the importation, manufacture, possession, distribution, and use of these substances and regulates certain chemicals that are used to manufacture them (21 U.S.C. §§ 801-904). The CSA divides controlled substances into five categories, called schedules, based on their:
Medical use.
Potential for abuse.
Safety or dependence risk.
Schedule I substances, such as heroin and marijuana:
Have a high potential for abuse.
Have no currently accepted medical use in the US.
Are not considered safe to use under medical supervision.