Schedule I Drugs: What drugs have the severest punishments?

The federal Controlled Substances Act (CSA) has established five primary classifications of drugs from Schedule I to Schedule V. Since the federal government considers the drugs in Schedule I to be the most dangerous class of drugs, these substances come with the severest punishments.

Everyone should familiarize him or herself with the various drug classifications to ensure that he or she stays away from these substances. However, there are so many drugs in the category of Schedule I — most of which are listed by their complicated chemical names — that it’s easy to get confused. In order to keep this list as simple as possible by focusing on the most commonly found Schedule I drugs, here are the most popular drugs categorized as Schedule I under the federal system:

Heroin

This is an extremely dangerous drug derived from the poppy flower. Heroin is highly addictive and can result in death by respiratory failure when users overdose on the substance.

Lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD)

LSD is a psychedelic drug to which the federal government has not assigned a medical purpose and considers it to be highly dangerous to users.

Marijuana (cannabis)

Marijuana has been legalized for both recreational and medicinal purposes in numerous states. However, in spite of many who laud its health benefits and safety, the federal government and North Carolina continue to classify marijuana as a highly dangerous and highly illegal substance in the Schedule I category. Due to the public’s changing perspective of acceptance toward marijuana, more people are using it in North Carolina, which is leading to increased marijuana-related arrests.

3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (ecstasy)

Ecstasy or “molly” creates a state of euphoria and hallucinatory experiences for its users.

Methaqualone

Methaqualone or “quaalude” is known to have a sedative or hypnotic effect on its users.

Peyote

Peyote is a cactus-derived substance that users take to experience a psychedelic effect.

If you were accused of possessing, selling or distributing Schedule I drugs, it’s important to take your criminal defense seriously. Learn more about your legal rights and options now.