Is Xanax (Alprazolam) legal in United States?
- Legal status
- Schedule IV controlled substance under federal law
- Consequences if caught
- Federal: Schedule IV. Alprazolam is listed among the depressants at 21 CFR 1308.14(c) — DEA code 2882. Schedule IV means a low potential for abuse relative to Schedule III and an accepted medical use; distribution and possession without a prescription are still federal offences.
- If prescribed or medical
- Widely available on prescription for anxiety and panic disorder. Schedule IV prescriptions are refillable within federal limits.
- Documentation
- Federal scheduling is uniform across the United States. STATE LAW IS NOT, and the federal schedule is not the whole answer for any substance: states set their own offences, thresholds and penalties, and these differ substantially. This states the federal position only.
Court records
We publish verified court records for United States, but have not verified one involving Xanax (Alprazolam).
Source checked United States Department of Justice, U.S. Attorneys' Offices · 2026-08-31
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