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Controlled substances refer to drugs or medications that are tightly regulated by the government because of their potential for abuse and/or lack of a recognized medical or therapeutic purpose. Under the standard controlled substances laws, how these drugs or substances are handled, stored, distributed, and used are regulated and subject to the government’s oversight. Both criminal and civil penalties can be applied for violating Florida’s controlled substances laws, depending on the circumstances. 

Our drug crimes defense attorney in St Petersburg explains the five schedules for controlled substances according to Florida Statute 893.03. 

Schedule I

This section defines controlled substances with the highest potential for abuse or no medically accepted use in the United States of America. The schedule further states that using these drugs even under medical supervision does not meet acceptable safety standards. These include:

1. Fentanyl derivatives, 
2. Hallucinogenic substances, 
3. Cocaine, 
4. Synthetic cannabinoids, 
5. Compounds containing THC, 
6. And other drugs of similar nature.

Schedule II

This section defines controlled substances with a high potential for abuse, no medical use, or usage that can cause severe psychological and physical dependence. The controlled substances in this schedule include:

1. Opium-related drugs, 
2. Oxymorphone, 
3. Oxycodone,
4. and morphine.

Schedule III

This section defines controlled substances with less potential for abuse and addiction than drugs and substances specified in Schedule I and Schedule II. They include:

1. Anabolic steroids, 
2. Derivatives of barbituric acid, 
3. Ketamine, 
4. Synthetic THC in sesame oils, 
5. And products containing gamma-hydroxybutyric acid.

Schedule IV

The substances covered under this section have a smaller chance of causing addiction, and have currently accepted medical uses for treatment in the United States. Examples include:

1. Clonazepam
2. Tramadol

Schedule V

Schedule V controlled substances are categorized as drugs and substances derived from mixing other controlled substances to a limited degree. The mixture should contain more medicinal ingredients. One such example is cough suppressants that contain opioids or other pharmaceutical-strength analgesics.