Which schedule of drugs is considered more dangerous?

Schedule I drugs are classified as the most dangerous based on their high potential for abuse and the absence of accepted medical use in the United States. Drugs in this category have no accepted therapeutic use and carry a significant risk of severe psychological or physical dependence. Examples of Schedule I drugs include heroin, lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), and marijuana (at the federal level), all of which are considered to have a high likelihood of leading to addiction and other serious health risks.

In contrast, the other schedules, such as Schedule II, IV, and V, while they may still pose risks for abuse and dependence, are recognized to have some accepted medical applications, albeit with varying levels of control and restrictions. For instance, Schedule II drugs like oxycodone and morphine have therapeutic uses but are tightly regulated due to their high potential for abuse. Schedule IV and V drugs are considered less dangerous and are often utilized for medical purposes, with lower risks of dependency and abuse. The classification system underscores the varying degrees of danger associated with different substances, positioning Schedule I as the highest tier of concern.