• Under the Anabolic Steroids Control Act of 1990, steroids are a Schedule 3 controlled substance, which makes possession and sales of steroids illegal without a prescription. Federal and state penalties include fines and imprisonment.

Anabolic Steroids Control Acts of 1990, 2004:

• Possession or sales of steroids is illegal under Title 21 of the United States Code
• The U.S. Code regulates food and drugs, and in this case, steroids
• Aptly named the “Anabolic Steroids Control Act of 1990, the legislation criminalizes steroids – even personal possession
• As a category 3 drug:

The drug or other substance has a potential for abuse less than the drugs or other substances in schedules 1 and 2.

The drug or other substance has a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the U.S.

 Abuse of the drug or other substance may lead to moderate or low physical dependence or high psychological dependence

• Yes, in 1990 when the Omnibus Crime Control Bill was signed into law, steroids were made illegal and placed in the same category as:
• Ketamine (animal tranquilizers)
• LSD and other hallucinogens
• Barbiturates
• Other drugs in the same category

Illegal to Purchase Anabolic Steroids Via Internet w/o Prescription:

• According to the Office of Diversion Control, U.S. Dept. of Justice, Drug Enforcement Administration, federal law prohibits buying controlled substances  - including anabolic steroids – without a valid prescription
• There must be an authentic doctor-patient relationship
• In most states this requires a physical examination
• Prescriptions written by “cyber doctors” that rely on online questions are not legitimate under this law

It is a felony to purchase drugs from non-approved foreign sources

Prosecution in State and/or Federal Court for Possession of Steroids:

• An offender can be prosecuted in either state or federal court for possession of steroids
• If the steroids are transported via U.S. mail, prosecution would take place in federal court
• If steroids are purchased and transported across state lines, state or federal prosecution is possible
• If steroids are found on one’s person at an airport, federal and/or state prosecution would be possible

Penalties for Steroid Possession:

• Simple possession of a schedule 3 drug:
• First offense, federal:
• Prison: 1 year, maximum
• Fines: $1,000 minimum
• Second offense:
• Prison: 2 years, maximum
• Fines: $2,500 minimum
• Third offense:
• Prison: 3 years maximum
• Fines: $5,000 minimum

Office of Diversion Control

21 USC Sec 812

Controlled Substances by Schedule

Controlled Substances Act