controlled substance

American  

noun

1. any of a category of behavior-altering or addictive drugs, as heroin or cocaine, whose possession and use are restricted by law.

---

Etymology

Origin of controlled substance

First recorded in 1970–75

Example Sentences

In 2021, the Washington State Supreme Court struck down Washington’s criminal statute prohibiting possession of a controlled substance, which was considered a felony.

From Seattle Times • Apr. 28, 2023

Approved 50 years ago by the F.D.A. as a veterinarian-prescribed analgesic, it is not listed as a controlled substance for animals or humans and so is not subject to strict monitoring.

From New York Times • Jan. 7, 2023

"Because xylazine is not a controlled substance, its regulation does not fall under the purview of DEA."

From Salon • Sep. 25, 2022

I was contemplating the irony of Netflix, which has turned television into something approaching a controlled substance, organizing a live comedy festival — “don’t take your eyes off the screen until we tell you to.”

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 7, 2022

That does not include measures to add more synthetic opioids to controlled substance lists to mirror federal law; those have been adopted in many states, with bipartisan support.

From Washington Times • Apr. 3, 2022