Which schedule includes substances with a lower potential for abuse than Schedule I and II substances?

The correct choice is Schedule III. Substances categorized in Schedule III are recognized to have a lower potential for abuse compared to those in Schedules I and II. While they may still be controlled due to their potential for dependency or abuse, their risk is not as high as that of the more tightly regulated schedules.

For instance, Schedule III includes anabolic steroids, certain barbiturates, and products containing less than 90 milligrams of codeine per dosage unit. This classification reflects a balance between medical utility and the need to manage potential risks associated with abuse.

Other schedules involve more restrictive measures; Schedule I substances, like heroin and LSD, have no accepted medical use and the highest potential for abuse. Schedule II includes substances like oxycodone and morphine, which have accepted medical uses but a high potential for abuse. Schedules IV and V include substances with even lower abuse potentials, but Schedule III is specifically designed to distinguish those substances that fall into a moderate abuse potential category.