What defines the characteristics of a Schedule I (C1) drug?

A Schedule I (C1) drug is characterized by having a high potential for abuse and no accepted medical use in the United States. This classification indicates that these substances are considered to pose a significant risk for addiction and have not been deemed safe for consumption in any medical context. As a result, they are strictly regulated and not available for prescriptions or therapeutic use. Examples of Schedule I substances include heroin, LSD, and marijuana (in states without legalization).

The distinction of Schedule I from other schedules is crucial in understanding drug regulations, as lower schedules may allow for some level of medical use and have varying degrees of potential for abuse. Thus, knowing that Schedule I drugs are entirely non-therapeutic reinforces the importance of knowing the classification system for controlled substances.