What category of drugs does the Controlled Substance Act specifically regulate?

The Controlled Substance Act specifically regulates narcotics and drugs that have a high potential for misuse or abuse. This legislation classifies drugs into different schedules based on their potential for addiction, abuse, and their accepted medical use. The higher the potential for abuse and the lower the accepted medical use, the stricter the regulations apply.

Narcotics, which include opioids and other drugs with similar properties, are often at the center of these regulations due to their potential for dependency. By focusing on substances that could be misused, the act aims to promote safe and responsible drug use while minimizing the risks associated with addiction and illegal trafficking.

In contrast, non-prescription wellness products, all drugs regardless of misuse potential, and vitamins and herbal supplements do not fall under the same stringent controls as those drugs classified under the Controlled Substance Act. These categories typically either do not require a prescription or are not considered to have a high risk of dependency or abuse, thus they are regulated differently.