Possession of Controlled Substances

There are 5 schedules of controlled substances in the state of Alabama. These are administered by the State Board of Health and updated regularly. The determination to place a substance in a specific schedule is based on a number of factors:

• Potential for Abuse
• Scientific evidence of its pharmacological effect
• The state of current scientific knowledge on the substance
• The history and current pattern of abuse
• The scope, significance, and duration of abuse
• The risk to public health
• The potential for the substance to create mental or physical dependence
• Whether the substance is related to a substance that has already been scheduled

Schedule I

Schedule I is considered by the state to be the most dangerous classification, reserved for highly addictive or dangerous substances. This is the only type of drugs that a doctor cannot prescribe.

• Opiates and derivatives of opium.
• Hallucinogenic substances (Ecstasy, peyote, etc.)
• Cannabis (Marijuana)
• Heroin
• Lysergic acid diethyl-amide (LSD)

Schedule II

Schedule II is reserved for drugs that may lead to severe chemical dependence in users.

• Morphine
• Cocaine
• Methadone
• Hydrocodone
• Fentanyl
• Phenycyclidine (PCP)

Schedule III

Schedule III controlled substances have potential to lead to moderate or low grade physical dependency, but high psychological dependence. These are generally fairly easy to acquire legally.

• Anabolic steroids
• Codeine products with aspirin or Tylenol
• Certain barbiturates

Schedule IV

Schedule IV controlled substances include substances that could lead to limited chemical dependence. They are generally acquired via prescription from a doctor.

• Klonopin
• Valium
• Xanax

Schedule V

Schedule V drugs have a very low potential for abuse or dependency compared to the other schedules. These can usually be acquired over the counter.

• Aspirin
• Tylenol
• Cough syrup with codeine.
• Sudafed

Have You Been Charged with a Violation of These Schedules?

If you were recently arrested and charged with a crime violating one of these schedules, it is absolutely crucial that you immediately seek out an experienced defense attorney that you can trust. At The Stoves Law Firm, we have over 25 years of experience defending drug possession cases. We know what it takes to secure the best possible result for your case. The prosecution has a high bar to reach and we will defend you adamantly by providing reasonable doubt for a reasonable price. To learn more, and schedule a free consultation today, call The Stoves Law Firm, P.C. at 205-823-7233, or you can connect with us through our secure client contact form here.