Which schedule of drugs is classified as having no accepted medicinal use?

Schedule I drugs are classified as having no accepted medicinal use in the United States. This classification is based on the drug's high potential for abuse, lack of safety for use under medical supervision, and the absence of any recognized medical benefit. This schedule includes substances such as heroin, lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), and cannabis. The rationale behind this classification is that these substances are not only deemed to be extremely dangerous but also lack the necessary scientific backing for therapeutic applications.

In contrast, the other schedules (II, III, and IV) contain drugs that are recognized to have medicinal uses albeit with varying levels of control based on their potential for abuse. Schedule II drugs have a high potential for abuse, but they are acknowledged for having accepted medical applications, such as opioids and certain stimulants. Schedule III and IV drugs have lower abuse potentials and include medications that are prescribed for legitimate medical purposes, but still fall under regulatory control to prevent misuse.