Schedule I
Category: Legal · Level: Intermediate
Schedule I is the most restrictive classification under the US Controlled Substances Act, applied to substances deemed to have high abuse potential and no accepted medical use, including cannabis.
Under the US Controlled Substances Act of 1970, Schedule I designates substances considered to have a high potential for abuse, no currently accepted medical use in treatment in the US, and a lack of accepted safety for use under medical supervision. Cannabis has been classified as Schedule I since the passage of the CSA, a classification that has been widely contested given the existence of state-level medical programs and FDA-approved cannabinoid pharmaceuticals. The DEA and FDA are the agencies responsible for scheduling decisions. International equivalents include controls under the UN Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs.
Also known as
Schedule I Controlled Substance
Usage
- Legal
- Regulatory
Regulatory notes
Cannabis remains Schedule I federally in the US as of early 2026, though rescheduling discussions are ongoing. CBD derived from hemp was removed from Schedule I via the 2018 Farm Bill.
Related terms
- Legalization — Cannabis legalization refers to the process of removing criminal prohibitions on cannabis cultivation, possession, sale, or use and establishing a regulated legal market.
- Controlled Substance — A controlled substance is a drug or chemical whose manufacture, possession, and use are regulated by law due to potential for abuse or harm.
- DEA — The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) is the US federal law enforcement agency responsible for enforcing controlled substances laws and regulations.
- Medical Cannabis — Medical cannabis refers to cannabis or cannabis-derived products prescribed or recommended by a licensed healthcare professional for therapeutic purposes.