Controlled Substances Act (CSA)

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.

(21 U.S.C. § 812(b)(1); 21 C.F.R. § 1308.11.)

Schedule II substances, such as opium, methadone, and fentanyl:

Have a high potential for abuse.
Have an accepted medical use in the US or a currently accepted medical use with severe restrictions.
May lead to severe psychological or physical dependence if abused.

(21 U.S.C. § 812(b)(2); 21 C.F.R. § 1308.12.)

Schedule III substances, such as anabolic steroids and ketamine:

Have a potential for abuse less than Schedule I and II substances.
Have an accepted medical use in the US.
May lead to moderate or low physical dependence or high psychological dependence if abused.

(21 U.S.C. § 812(b)(3); 21 C.F.R. § 1308.13.)

Schedule IV substances, such as diazepam and alprazolam:

Have a low potential for abuse relative to Schedule III substances.
Have a currently accepted medical use in the US.
May lead to limited physical dependence or psychological dependence relative to Schedule III substances if abused.

(21 U.S.C. § 812(b)(4); 21 C.F.R. § 1308.14.)

Schedule V drugs, such as cough medicines with codeine:

Have a low potential for abuse relative to Schedule IV substances.
Have an accepted medical use in the US.
May lead to limited physical or psychological dependence relative to Schedule IV substances if abused.

(21 U.S.C. § 812(b)(5); 21 C.F.R. § 1308.15.)

Controlled Substances Act (CSA) | Practical Law