Which schedule is defined by high abuse potential and no accepted medical use?

• A. Schedule II
• B. Schedule III
• C. Schedule IV
• D. Schedule I

Answer: (D)

Classification of controlled substances uses a system that pairs abuse potential with medical utility. When a substance has a high potential for abuse and no accepted medical use, it sits in the most restrictive category. That’s why this description points to Schedule I. In practice, Schedule I drugs are not prescribed or used in medical treatment and access is tightly controlled. This is different from higher-availability schedules, where drugs may have accepted medical uses but varying degrees of abuse potential. For example, drugs with accepted medical uses but high abuse potential live in a less restrictive schedule, while those with lower abuse potential and progressively fewer restrictions fall into the other categories.