drug scheduling

Drug scheduling is the statutory process of classifying a drug into one of five categories by balancing the drug’s risk of abuse with its accepted medical uses. The guidelines for drug scheduling are outlined in the Controlled Substances Act.

Schedule I drugs have no recognized medicinal use while having a high potential for abuse.

Examples are lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA, ecstasy),

Schedule II drugs have a high potential for abuse but may still have recognized medical uses.

Examples are amphetamine (Adderall), cocaine, and oxycodone.

Schedule III drugs have a moderate risk of abuse and recognized medical uses.

Examples are 17α-Methyl-1-testosterone (M1T, synthetic anabolic androgenic steroid), and ketamine.

Schedule IV drugs have a low risk of abuse, recognized medical uses, and abuse may lead to limited dependence.

Examples are alprazolam (Xanax), and diazepam (Valium).

Schedule V drugs have a lower risk of abuse than Schedule IV drugs, accepted medical uses, and abuse may lead to limited dependence.

Examples are pregabalin (Lyrica), and opium preparations 100 mg/100 ml or 100 gm (Parepectolin).

While marijuana is currently a Schedule I controlled substance, this scheduling is currently under review.

See the complete list of scheduled substances for more examples: https://www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/schedules/orangebook/c_cs_alpha.pdf.

[Last reviewed in April of 2026 by the Wex Definitions Team]

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