Which of the following drugs is scheduled as Schedule III?

• A. Dronabinol (Marinol)
• B. Phendimetrazine (Bontril)
• C. Gamma Hydroxybutyrate
• D. Morphine

Answer: (A)

Scheduling rests on how strong the potential for abuse is, whether there is an accepted medical use, and what kind of dependence may develop. Dronabinol (Marinol) fits Schedule III because it is a prescription cannabinoid with approved medical uses (such as chemotherapy-induced nausea and appetite stimulation in AIDS) and a lower abuse potential than drugs in Schedule II. Morphine is in Schedule II due to its high abuse potential despite medical use. Gamma hydroxybutyrate is generally Schedule I (no accepted medical use in its standard form), which is why it wouldn’t be placed in Schedule III. In this set, dronabinol is the one clearly scheduled as Schedule III.