Federal Analogue Act (US)
Definition
1986 legislation extending Schedule I controls to substances substantially similar in structure or pharmacological effect to a Schedule I or II drug when intended for human consumption.
- Enacted
- 1986
- Jurisdiction
- United States
- Effect
- Extends Schedule I controls to analogue substances
- Trigger
- Substantial structural or pharmacological similarity
Common questions
How does this 1986 act relate to the more specific Federal Analogue Act citation (21 USC 813) also used in this field?+
They refer to the same statute; 21 USC 813 is the US Code citation for the 1986 Federal Analogue Act, so the two terms describe the identical legal provision extending controlled-substance scheduling to structurally similar new compounds intended for human use.
Why did lawmakers create an analogue provision instead of just scheduling each new drug individually?+
Clandestine chemists can alter a molecule's structure slightly to produce a new, technically unscheduled compound faster than legislatures or agencies can formally schedule it. The analogue approach lets prosecutors reach these variants without waiting for a substance-specific scheduling action.
Related terms
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- The upper quantity threshold under India's NDPS Act 1985 above which the maximum punishment (10 years to life) applies. Example: 250 g...
- EMCDDA
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- Psychoactive Substances Act 2016 (UK)
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- Reitox Network
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- Schedule I (CSA)
- The highest-control tier under the US Controlled Substances Act: high abuse potential, no accepted medical use in the US. Examples: heroin, cannabis,...
- Schedule II (CSA)
- High abuse potential but with accepted medical use under severe restrictions. Examples: cocaine (topical anaesthetic), methamphetamine (Desoxyn), fentanyl, oxycodone.
- Small Quantity (NDPS)
- The lower quantity threshold under India's NDPS Act 1985; possession below this level triggers reduced sentencing exposure. Example: 5 g for heroin,...
- SWGDRUG
- Scientific Working Group for the Analysis of Seized Drugs, established in 1997 by the US DEA and the Office of National Drug...