The Controlled Substances Act (CSA)

The Controlled Substances Act (CSA) is a federal law in the United States that regulates the manufacture, importation, possession, use, and distribution of certain substances. The CSA was passed in 1970 and has been amended several times since then.

The CSA classifies all controlled substances into five schedules, based on their potential for abuse and their accepted medical use. Schedule I drugs have the highest potential for abuse and no currently accepted medical use in the United States. Schedule V drugs have the lowest potential for abuse and the highest accepted medical use.