Who is responsible for deciding on drug schedules in the United States?

The Attorney General of the United States is responsible for deciding on drug schedules in the United States. This role is established under the Controlled Substances Act, which empowers the Attorney General to classify drugs and substances into schedules based on their potential for abuse, accepted medical use, and safety or dependence liability.

In making these determinations, the Attorney General often relies on recommendations from the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the scientific and medical evaluations provided by the Department of Health and Human Services. However, the final authority and responsibility for the scheduling decisions rests with the Attorney General, highlighting the critical role that this position plays in regulating substances within the framework of federal law.

Other entities, such as the President or the Secretary of Health and Human Services, may influence policy and have significant regulatory roles, but they do not have the direct authority to classify drugs into schedules. The Director of the CDC predominantly focuses on public health issues and disease prevention, rather than on drug scheduling decisions.