Jordan Diaz: Why aren’t alcohol and tobacco Schedule I drugs?
Published: Monday, February 15, 2010 at 3:03 p.m.
Last Modified: Monday, February 15, 2010 at 3:03 p.m.
I have been trying to get an answer from numerous government agencies (FDA, D.E.A, NIDA) with concern to alcohol and tobacco not being listed as Schedule 1 drugs according to the D.E.A website. The criteria for a Schedule 1 drug are as follows.

(A) The drug or other substance has a high potential for abuse.

(B) The drug or other substance has no currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States.

(C) There is a lack of accepted safety for use of the drug or other substance under medical supervision.

My question is this: What studies show that nicotine and alcohol DO NOT have "high potential for abuse?" What "currently accepted medical use" do these two killers have? What study shows an "accepted safety for use" under medical supervision for nicotine and alcohol?

Why aren't alcohol and tobacco Schedule 1 drugs and perhaps more importantly why are they not scheduled at all?

I am forming the hypothesis that the alcohol and tobacco lobbyists and donations are allowing my government to "forget" to schedule the two greatest killers in the United States.

Jordan Diaz,

Gainesville