Amphetamine more dangerous than cocaine - why on different drug control schedules?

Question

I know a fair bit about these two drugs, but I can't figure out the [Canadian] government's reasoning in placing cocaine in a more restrictive schedule (Schedule I) than amphetamine (Schedule III).

Both act on the neurotransmitter dopamine - the more of this chemical there is in the synapse (gap between neurons), and the longer it's there, the greater the effects.

Cocaine stops dopamine from being reabsorbed into the neuron, keeping it in the synapse.

Amphetamine (not methamphetamine - just ordinary prescription Dexedrine, Adderall, etc.) stops dopamine from being reabsorbed, AND it can stimulate the release of MORE dopamine, something cocaine can't do.

This would suggest to me that amphetamine is more dangerous, and has greater abuse potential than cocaine. It's just not a stigmatized.

The only reason I can think of for keeping amphetamines on a lower schedule is because they have several legitimate medical applications. Then again, so does METH - Desoxyn treats obesity and narcolepsy.

Any idea why these drugs are scheduled like this?

(By the way, in the USA, both are Schedule II - which seems like a more logical way to have it. Then again, the USA has both LSD and marijuana on Schedule I, which is ridiculous)

Answer 1

Amphetamine is produced pharmaceutically, whereas cocaine production involves violent drug cartels.

People can "make" certain (normally very toxic and unpleasant) amphetamines at home, but cocaine comes from processing a plant.

Amphetamine is still prescribed - cocaine is no longer prescribed.

Both can have very unpleasant effects on society and the individual. But from personal experience I'd rather deal with a speed freak than a coke head, (bearing in mind I've not encountered methamphetamine users as the drug is pretty much unheard of in the UK).

Coke has all these painkiller type effects, making it physiologically very addictive and normally turns users into the kind of person who is rude to waiters. It also has highly corrosive effects on the mucous membrane (nose, gums etc).

But I reckon both drugs totally suck.  

Answer 2

You cannot look purely at mechanism of action for how dangerous something is to begin with - there's a lot of other factors that come into play. Amphetamine causes more neurological problems with severe long term abuse, but cocaine's immediate effect is rougher on the cardiovascular system.

I can't speak for Canada, but in the US there's certain criteria for scheduling.

1. The drug or other substance has potential for abuse/addiction/dependence.

- Certainly both come into effect here. Both are abusable - the differences between them are academic and pointless.

2. Medical use.

- Amphetamine has far more medical uses than cocaine. It's a widely used stimulant with a variety of uses, and the fact that it's easier on the cardiovascular system than cocaine plays an important role. Amphetamines are also notable in that we don't have 'better' drugs  that can meet all the medical needs that amphetamines do. In the case of cocaine there's no established reason to use cocaine versus another substance for any of its functions.

3. Established safety for use under medical supervision.

Amphetamine is fairly well documented to be on the whole safer to use under medical supervision versus cocaine. You mention LSD and this is where this comes in to play, along with the 'no legitimate use' above. There is no way to use LSD safely under medical care.

So yes. You point out the main reason - legitimate medical applications. Controlling a substance is about balancing the medical need for the use of it against the damage it can cause if it is not controlled. In the case of Desoxyn, the damage is higher and the need is less - hence Schedule II in the US. In the case of cocaine, the damage is high and the medical need is lower than amphetamine, which there is a substantial need for.

Answer 3

The scheduling is based more on social phenomena than scientific classification.

Answer 4

I personally don't understand how any drug can be classified into 'Schedule 1'

Schedule 1:

Findings required:

    (A) The drug or other substance has 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.

Now, i cant think of any drug which doesn't have a potential for medical use. And this is why Part (B) irritates me so much.

The fact that Marijuana is even on Schedule 1 is a blatant example of ignorant the US is towards illicit drugs. Even there prison terms for drug dealers far outweigh the prison terms for convicted murder's and pedophiles, its just ******* retarded.. its the only way it can be explained.

I mean, they allow the use of 'MEDICAL' Marijuana, yet keep the drug itself as Schedule 1.. lol what the h**l?

Here in Australia, Cocaine, Methamphetamine and Amphetamine all fall under the same schedule.