What are “Controlled Substances?”

Schedule I: Schedule I drugs are believed to be the most dangerous, present the highest potential for substance abuse and have no accepted medical use. Schedule I drugs include things like:

• Ecstasy “Molly” MDMA
• Methaqualone – Quaaludes
• Heroin – China White – Black Tar – White Powder – Horse - “H”
• GHB – Gamma Hydroxybutyrate - “G”
• Peyote – Black Button – Cactus – Shaman

Schedule II: Schedule II drugs are believed to have a high potential for abuse, but also have accepted medical uses. Accepted medical use is met with substantial restrictions, and abuse of Schedule II drugs can lead to psychological and/or physical dependence. Schedule II controlled substances include things like:

• Hydrocodone
• Methadone
• Morphine
• Cocaine
• Opium
• Codeine
• Methamphetamine “Meth”
• Ritalin

Schedule III: Schedule III controlled substances carry the potential for abuse, although that is generally thought of as less of a risk than Schedule I and II drugs. Schedule III drugs are acceptable for medical use. Abuse of such controlled substances can lead to dependence issues, consider lower-risk for physical dependence and high-risk for psychological dependence. Schedule III drugs include things like:

• Steroids (Anabolic Steroids)
• Barbiturates
• Ketamine - “K” - Cat Valium – Special K – Super C

Schedule IV: Schedule IV drugs are believed to relatively low potential for substance abuse, are accepted for medical use. Abuse of Schedule IV controlled substances may lead to some form of limited psychological and/or physical dependence. Examples of Schedule IV drugs include things like:

• Benzodiazepine – Xanax – Alprazolam - “Bars” - Planks – School Bus
• Darvon
• Valium
• Clonazepam
• Barbital

Schedule V: Schedule V drugs are thought to possess a lower potential for abuse than Schedule I through Schedule IV drugs. They also have an accepted medical use. Substance abuse can lead to some level of limited physical or psychological dependence. Schedule V controlled substances include things like:

• Codeine – Cough Syrup – Over the Counter Cold Medicines

Schedule VI: Schedule VI controlled substances have little to low chance for potential abuse, but still are not considered to have an accepted medical use. Substance abuse may result in a limited psychological or physical dependence. Marijuana in North Carolina is a Schedule VI drug. There is an limited, authorized “medical use,” although North Carolina, unlike other states does not recognize “medical marijuana.” Schedule VII drugs include things like:

• Marijuana
• Hash
• Hashish Oil