What is the Controlled Substances Act?

The Controlled Substances Act is a federal law that sets out how certain drugs, also called controlled substances, will be regulated. It is found in Title 21 of the United States Code, Sections 811-904. The Act was enacted in 1970 and is administered by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). The Act includes five “schedules” that list controlled drugs and substances according to their potential for abuse and accepted medical use. Drugs in Schedule I, such as heroin and marijuana, have the highest potential for abuse and are not approved for medical use. Drugs in Schedule V, such as cough syrups with codeine, have the lowest potential for abuse and are accepted for medical use. The Act also contains the Controlled Substance Analog Enforcement Act, which makes it illegal to possess, manufacture, or distribute analogs of controlled substances. These are compounds that are chemically similar to ones already in one of the five drug schedules. The Act has been amended periodically to add substances or change the classification of substances, and the exact regulations vary from state to state. In Washington, the penalties for violations of the Controlled Substance Act depend on the type of drug involved, the quantity, and the defendant’s criminal history. Generally, the punishments for drug crimes range from fines and probation to state incarceration and federal prison.

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What is the Controlled Substances Act?

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