Who decides the scheduling of drugs?

• A. Attorney General
• B. FDA Commissioner
• C. Surgeon General
• D. Secretary of Health and Human Services

Answer: (A)

Scheduling controlled substances is a regulatory action that rests with the Attorney General, who directs the DEA. The process relies on medical and scientific input from Health and Human Services agencies, especially the FDA, to assess a substance and make recommendations. The Attorney General reviews these inputs and makes the final decision on which schedule, if any, a substance should have. The Surgeon General and the FDA Commissioner contribute important perspectives, but they do not have the final scheduling authority.