Federal Drug Scheduling

The Federal Drug Scheduling system classifies a wide variety of illegal and legal drugs, controlled substances and chemicals for the purpose of criminal prosecution. Schedule I is considered to have the most dangerous drugs, and Schedule V has the safest. These classifications impact criminal drug cases in Mississippi and across the country. Cases involving Schedule I drugs are much more likely to include stiffer penalties, prison time and hefty fines than cases involving Schedule IV or Schedule V drugs. It’s important to note that with the ever-changing landscape of medical developments, many medical professionals are calling on marijuana to be moved from Schedule I, where drugs are considered to have no currently accepted medical uses, to Schedule II. Listed below are Federal Drug Schedules I-V and their associated drugs, chemicals, plants, medications and controlled substances.

Schedule I 

Schedule I drugs are typically defined as drugs with no currently accepted medical uses coupled with the high potential for abuse. Somewhat controversially, marijuana is still listed as a Schedule I drug, even though it has been legalized for medical and recreation in other states. In most cases, these are considered the most dangerous types of drugs. They might have psychological impacts and a high likelihood of dependence or abuse. Schedule I drugs are considered the worst of the worst.

Examples of Schedule I Drugs 

• Heroin 
• Lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) 
• Marijuana (cannabis) 
• 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (ecstasy) 
• Methaqualone  
• Peyote 

Schedule II 

While Schedule II drugs are still considered dangerous, they’re not considered to be as bad as Schedule I drugs. They might have moderate to low psychological or physical impacts and a moderate potential for abuse and dependence. Even though they’re not considered by the Federal government to be as dangerous as Schedule I drugs, possession, distribution or manufacturing of any of these drugs can get you locked up for years or decades, depending on the amount involved.

Examples of Schedule II Drugs 

Schedule III 

If you’re noticing a trend, it’s because the higher you go on the Federal Drug Schedule scale, the lower the dangers are associated with each class of drugs. Schedule III drugs are considered less dangerous than Schedule II drugs. These drugs are often used in a variety of legal medical settings, but do have some potential for abuse and dependence, so they’re classified as Schedule III drugs. The drugs listed below are considered more dangerous with a higher potential for abuse and dependence than Schedule IV though.

Examples of Schedule III Drugs 

• Tylenol with codeine 
• Ketamine 
• Anabolic steroids 
• Testosterone