Schedule 3 Drugs

Possession offenses involving Schedule III controlled substances are more likely to be prosecuted in state courts than in federal courts. Federal law enforcement officials tend to concentrate on Schedule I and II drugs. If federal authorities believe that a dealer is trafficking a significant quantity of a Schedule III drug, however, they might decide a federal prosecution is worthwhile.

One of the most commonly prescribed Schedule III drugs is hydrocodone, a pain reliever that is marketed (in combination with acetaminophen) as Vicodin® and Lortab®, among other products. Illicit distributors generally acquire the drug through doctor shopping, forged prescriptions, or theft from pharmacies. Another common Schedule III drug, although less frequently abused, is Tylenol® with Codeine. Like hydrocodone, codeine is used for pain relief and as a cough suppressant.

The other Schedule 3 substances most likely to result in a federal prosecution are anabolic steroids. Most anabolic steroids prescribed in the United States are testosterone-based. They are used to treat testosterone deficiency, anemia, breast cancer, and a few other conditions. Unlike most other illegally distributed drugs, steroids are not ingested recreationally for the purpose of getting high. Most steroid abusers are bodybuilders, weight lifters, and athletes who seek the competitive advantage or muscular appearance that steroids help them attain. Most anabolic steroids that are sold illegally in the United States are manufactured in other countries, usually in higher dosages than are prescribed by doctors.