What legal status applies to substances classified under scheduling I or II?

Substances classified under schedules I or II have specific regulations that govern their legal status. Schedule I substances are generally considered to have a high potential for abuse, no accepted medical use in treatment in the United States, and a lack of accepted safety for use under medical supervision. Examples include heroin and LSD. On the other hand, schedule II substances, while still having a high potential for abuse, are recognized to have accepted medical uses but are subject to strict regulation. These include drugs like morphine and oxycodone.

The correct understanding is that, although some schedule II substances can be prescribed for medical purposes, possession and usage are tightly regulated, meaning that a person cannot simply possess these substances without adherence to legal prescriptions and restrictions. Thus, the statement that they may have medical applications but can be illegal to possess without regulations captures the dual nature of these substances well—the potential for medical use exists, but possession without compliance with legal standards can lead to criminal consequences.

The other options do not accurately reflect the legal framework surrounding these substances. For instance, stating that they are always legal for personal use disregards the strict regulations involved.