Controlled substances in United States are covered by Controlled substances act and this act also serves to cover steroids. The anabolic steroid control act classified anabolic steroids are schedule III drugs. Schedule I drugs are those that have high abuse potential and do not have any acceptable medical usage in United States. Schedule II drugs also have high abuse potential but these drugs also have some approved medical usage and the usage is restricted. Schedule III drugs also have abuse potential but the potential is not as high as the Schedule I and II drugs.

Controlled substances bill was amended by the 108th Congress so as to include the anabolic steroids and this amendment is also called the Anabolic Steroid Control Act. As per this act every state in the country has the freedom to schedule the steroids as they want and in some states the steroids may not be scheduled at all. The federal law indicates that manufacturing and distribution of a controlled substance like anabolic steroids is considered unlawful. Such an activity can result in jail sentences or fine or both.

An Anabolic steroid means a drug or other hormonal substance that has chemical or pharmacological relation to testosterone. The anabolic steroids control act was passed to counter the increasing usage of anabolic steroids in amateur as well professional sports. In the period of 1988 to 1990 Congressional hearings were held in order to determine the gravity of the problem. Following testimonies of witnesses the anabolic steroids were classified to be Schedule III drugs.

The classification of anabolic steroids as controlled substances under the anabolic steroid control act led to criminalizing of all use of the steroids that is not for medical purposes. So those seeking to take these steroids for growth of muscles and for cosmetic or athletic enhancement were stated to abusing steroids use. As per this law the steroids are now put in the class as barbiturates, LSD precursors and ketamine. Individuals caught in possession of anabolic steroids for personal use can be arrested and face prosecution.

As per the Anabolic steroid control act details it is illegal for a person to possess anabolic steroids unless these are obtained through a prescription of a medical health professional and the prescription should be valid and given in course of the practice. Simple possession categorized as simply first offense is punishable with an imprisonment term of around one year with the minimum fine being $1000. If a person has had other conviction for some offenses and this includes narcotic crimes then he can get imprisonment from 15 days to around two years with the fine being around $2500.

Individuals having two and more other convictions can face imprisonment for a period between 90 days to three years with the fine amount being $5000. Likewise obtaining anabolic steroids with an intention to dispense or distribute them is considered to be a felony offense and is punishable with imprisonment of around 5 years and a fine of around $250,000.

The anabolic steroid control act has been formulated to prevent abuse and misuse of steroids by teenagers and other individuals since they are more likely to abuse steroids in the absence of medial supervision.