Which schedule includes drugs that are deemed to have no accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse?

Schedule I substances are classified as having no accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse. This classification includes drugs that are considered to be the most dangerous in terms of their risk for addiction and potential for misuse. Examples of Schedule I drugs include heroin, LSD, and marijuana (though marijuana legality varies by state).

The criteria for being placed in Schedule I stems from evaluations of both the drug’s accepted medical use in treatment in the U.S. and its safety or dependence liability. Because these substances lack medical acceptance, they are subject to the strictest regulations under the Controlled Substances Act.

In contrast, the other schedules include drugs with recognized medical uses that carry varying degrees of potential for abuse. For instance, Schedule II drugs have a high potential for abuse but are accepted for medical use, while Schedule III and IV drugs are considered to have lower potentials for abuse and accepted medical uses.