What federal law categorizes drugs into five schedules based on their abuse potential?

The Comprehensive Drug Abuse Prevention and Control Act of 1970 is the legislation responsible for categorizing drugs into five distinct schedules based on their potential for abuse. This act established a framework within which drugs are classified according to various criteria, including their medical use, the safety of use under medical supervision, and the potential for dependency and abuse.

The five schedules range from Schedule I, which includes substances with a high potential for abuse and no accepted medical use (like heroin), to Schedule V, which encompasses drugs with a low potential for abuse and accepted medical uses (like cough preparations containing less than 200 milligrams of codeine per 100 milliliters). This scheduling system provides a basis for regulating the manufacture, distribution, and usage of drugs in the United States, aiming to prevent addiction and promote public safety.

Other options mentioned might touch on aspects related to drug regulation or enforcement, but they do not specifically refer to the creation of the scheduling system for controlled substances as established by the Comprehensive Drug Abuse Prevention and Control Act.