The severity of penalties for drug crimes in Georgia depends not just on the crime committed, but also what types of drugs are at issue. Federal law classifies drugs in a system known as “schedules,” with Schedule I drugs being considered more dangerous than Schedule II drugs, etc. The following is a brief overview of federal drug schedules.
Schedule I drugs
Schedule I drugs are those that have no currently acceptable medical use and that have a high propensity for abuse. Heroin, LSD and ecstasy are some examples of Schedule I drugs. It is important to note that, while state law varies, for federal purposes marijuana is also considered a Schedule I drug.
Schedule II drugs
Schedule II drugs are those that have a high propensity for abuse and could cause severe mental or physical dependence. However, they do have an acceptable medical use. Some examples of Schedule II drugs include Vicodin, methamphetamine, and OxyContin.
Schedule III drugs
Schedule III drugs are those with a moderate to low propensity to cause physical or mental dependence. Schedule III drugs also have a lower propensity for abuse in comparison to Schedule I and Schedule II drugs but have a higher propensity for abuse in comparison to Schedule IV drugs. Tylenol with codeine, ketamine and anabolic steroids are all examples of Schedule III drugs.
Schedule IV drugs
Schedule IV drugs have a low propensity for abuse and a low propensity of dependence. Xanax, Valium and Tramadol are all examples of Schedule IV drugs.
Schedule V drugs
Schedule V drugs are those with a lower propensity for abuse than Schedule IV drugs, and contain a certain amount of narcotics. Some examples of Schedule V drugs include certain cough medications, Lomotil and Parepectolin.
Learn more about drug crimes in Georgia
It is important to remember that these are federal, not state, drug schedules. However, any drug crime needs to be taken seriously. This post is for educational purposes only and does not contain legal advice. Those who want to learn more about drug crimes in Georgia are encouraged to explore our firm’s drug crimes webpage for further information.