DRUGS IN AMERICA

CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES ACT

Enacted into law as part of the Comprehensive Drug Abuse Prevention and Control Act of 1970.

Regulation of the manufacture, importation, possession, use and distribution of certain substances

CLASSIFYING SUBSTANCES

Five Schedules of substances Drug Enforcement Administration and

the Food and Drug Administration determine which substances are added or removed from schedules

Classification decisions are based on potential for abuse, currently accepted medical use in the US, and international treaties.

SCHEDULE 1

The drug or other substance has a high potential for abuse.

The drug or other substance has no currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States.

There is a lack of accepted safety for use of the drug or other substance under medical supervision

No prescriptions may be written for Schedule I substances, and such substances are subject to production quotas by the DEA.

GHB; Marijuana; Heroin; opiates; Ecstasy; Psilocybin, the active ingredient in psychedelic mushrooms; Peyote; Tetrahydrogestrinone (THG)

SCHEDULE 2

The drug or other substance has a high potential for abuse.

The drug or other substance has a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States with severe restrictions.

Abuse of the drug or other substances may lead to severe psychological or physical dependence.

Except when dispensed directly by a practitioner, may not be dispensed without the written prescription

Cocaine; Ritalin; Concerta; Focalin; opium tincture (laudanum); Methadone; Oxycodone; Morphine; Adderall; Pure codeine; Demerol; PCP; Amphetamines

SCHEDULE 3

Potential for abuse less than schedules I and II.

The drug or other substance has a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States

Abuse of the drug or other substance may lead to moderate or low physical dependence or high psychological dependence.

Except when dispensed directly by a practitioner, may not be dispensed without a written or oral prescription

Anabolic steroids; Ketamine, popular as a veterinary and pediatric anesthetic; Vicodin / Tylenol 3; Marinol, a synthetic form of THC

SCHEDULE 4

Low potential for abuse relative to schedule III.

Currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States.

Abuse may lead to limited physical dependence or psychological dependence

Xanax, Valium; Ambien

SCHEDULE 5

Low potential for abuse Currently accepted medical use in

treatment in the United States. Abuse may lead to limited physical

dependence or psychological dependence

May not be distributed or dispensed other than for a medical purpose.

Cough suppressants containing small amounts of codeine; Lyrica

PSEUDOEPHEDRINE

Pseudoephedrine is widely used in the manufacture of methamphetamine

“Combat Methamphetamine Epidemic Act of 2005” was passed as an amendment to the Patriot Act renewal

Requires customer signature of a "log-book" and presentation of valid photo ID to purchase

Restricts an individual to no more than three packages or 300 standard 30 mg tablets of Sudafed nasal decongestant.

A violation of this statute constitutes a misdemeanor. Many retailers require it to be behind the pharmacy or

service counter, an age restriction on purchase.

DE CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES

Class B Felony

TRAFFICKING IN MARIJUANA

If the quantity of marijuana involved: a. 5lbs-100lbs: mandatory minimum term of 2 years and shall be fined up to $25,000. b. 100lbs-500lbs: mandatory minimum term of 4 years and shall be fined up to $50,000. c. over 500lbs: a mandatory minimum term of 8 years and shall be fined up to $100,000.

TRAFFICKING IN COCAINE

If the quantity of cocaine involved:a. 10g-50g: mandatory minimum term of 2 years and shall be fined up to $50,000. b. 50g-100g: mandatory minimum term of years and shall be fined up to $100,000. c. over 100 grams: mandatory minimum term of 8 years and shall be fined up to $400,000.

TRAFFICKING IN ILLEGAL DRUGS (MORPHINE, OPIUM, HEROIN)

If the quantity involved: a. 2.5g-10g: mandatory minimum term of 3 years and shall be fined up to $75,000. b. 10g-50g: mandatory minimum term of 10 years and shall be fined up to $150,000. c. over 50 grams: mandatory minimum term of 25 years and shall be fined up to $750,000.

TRAFFICKING IN METHAMPHETAMINE

If the quantity involved: a. 5g-50g: mandatory minimum term of 2 years and shall be fined up to $50,000.b. 50g-100 grams: mandatory minimum term of 4 years and shall be fined up to $100,000. c. over 100 grams: mandatory minimum term of 8 years and shall be fined up to $400,000.

TRAFFICKING IN L.S.D.

If the quantity involved: a. 50doses (5mg)-100 doses (10mg): mandatory term of 2 years and pay a fine of $50,000. b. 100 doses-500 doses: minimum term of 4 years and shall be fined up to $100,000. c. over 500 doses: mandatory minimum term of 8 years and shall be fined up to $400,000.

TRAFFICKING IN MDMA

If the quantity involved: a. 25-250 doses(5g-50g or 5ml-50ml): mandatory minimum term of 2 years and shall be fined up to $50,000. b. 250-500 doses: mandatory minimum term of 4 years and shall be fined up to $100,000. c. over 500 doses(100 g, or 100 ml): mandatory minimum term of 8 years and shall be fined up to $400,000.