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How Does Drug Scheduling Work?

Do you ever wonder how drugs are scheduled and penalties are established?

Drug Schedules

Drugs, substances, and certain chemicals used to make drugs are classified into five (5) distinct categories or schedules depending upon the drug’s acceptable medical use and the drug’s abuse or dependency potential. These lists are intended as general references and are not comprehensive listings of all controlled substances.

Schedule I
Schedule I drugs, substances, or chemicals are defined as drugs with no currently accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse. Some examples of Schedule I drugs are:

  • heroin

  • lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD)

  • marijuana (cannabis)

  • 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (ecstasy),

  • methaqualone

  • peyote

Schedule II

Schedule II drugs, substances, or chemicals are defined as drugs with a high potential for abuse, with use potentially leading to severe psychological or physical dependence. These drugs are also considered dangerous. Some examples of Schedule II drugs are:

  • Combination products with less than 15 milligrams of hydrocodone per dosage unit (Vicodin)

  • cocaine

  • methamphetamine

  • methadone

  • hydromorphone (Dilaudid)

  • meperidine (Demerol)

  • oxycodone (OxyContin)

  • fentanyl

  • Dexedrine

  • Adderall

  • Ritalin

Schedule III
Schedule III drugs, substances, or chemicals are defined as drugs with a moderate to low potential for physical and psychological dependence. Schedule III drugs abuse potential is less than Schedule I and Schedule II drugs but more than Schedule IV. Some examples of Schedule III drugs are:

  • Products containing less than 90 milligrams of codeine per dosage unit (Tylenol with codeine)

  • ketamine

  • anabolic steroids

  • testosterone

Schedule IV
Schedule IV drugs, substances, or chemicals are defined as drugs with a low potential for abuse and low risk of dependence. Some examples of Schedule IV drugs are:

  • Xanax

  • Soma

  • Darvon

  • Darvocet

  • Valium

  • Ativan

  • Talwin

  • Ambien

  • Tramadol

Schedule V

Schedule V drugs, substances, or chemicals are defined as drugs with lower potential for abuse than Schedule IV and consist of preparations containing limited quantities of certain narcotics. Schedule V drugs are generally used for antidiarrheal, antitussive, and analgesic purposes. Some examples of Schedule V drugs are:

  • cough preparations with less than 200 milligrams of codeine or per 100 milliliters (Robitussin AC)

  • Lomotil

  • Motofen

  • Lyrica

  • Parepectolin

Federal Trafficking Penalties

This section outlines the federal trafficking penalties for the substances listed in Schedules I, II, III, IV, and V. Get more information on the penalties associated with each of the substances on the Drug Enforcement Administration's website.

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