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The U.S. Drug Abuse Regulation and Control Act of 1970 (Controlled Substances Act) is designed to limit and control access to intoxicating drugs and to control certain other drugs of abuse, such as anabolic steroids used by athletes to increase muscle mass. It is a law over and above the Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act and the Durham-Humphrey laws that designate drugs as prescription only or over the counter and freely available to the public. Thus, a prescription drug may or may not also be a controlled substance.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) decides which drugs are prescription, while the DEA decides which drugs are controlled substances. In 1970, Controlled Substances Act replaced the Harrison Narcotic Act, which preceded it. The newer act allows for finer control of drugs of abuse, since it uses 5 categories instead of 3. Along with the Controlled Substances Act were harsher prison sentences, new DEA registration numbers for all prescribers or drug handlers, and other additions that are beyond the scope of this document.
Most states have passed laws that mirror the Controlled Substances Act, although from state to state there are differences and peculiarities. As a rule, a state can add restrictions to the federal Act, but almost never reverses or reduces them. Pharmacies and doctors must conform to all applicable laws within their jurisdiction.