Editing Benzodiazepine (section)

===Legal status===
In the [[United States]], benzodiazepines are [[Controlled Substances Act#Schedule IV drugs|Schedule IV drugs]] under the Federal [[Controlled Substances Act]], even when not on the market (for example, [[flunitrazepam]]<ref name="deaRohypnol">{{cite web|url=https://www.dea.gov/factsheets/rohypnol|title=Rohypnol|publisher=[[Drug Enforcement Administration]]|access-date=2024-09-18}}</ref>), with the exception of [[flualprazolam]], [[etizolam]], [[clonazolam]], [[flubromazolam]], and [[diclazepam]] which are placed in [[Controlled Substances Act#Schedule I drugs|Schedule I]].<ref name="deaDiversion">{{cite web|url=https://www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/drug_chem_info/benzo.pdf|title=BENZODIAZEPINES|publisher=[[Drug Enforcement Administration]]|access-date=2024-09-18}}</ref>

In Canada, possession of benzodiazepines is legal for personal use. All benzodiazepines are categorized as [[Controlled Drugs and Substances Act#Schedule IV|Schedule IV]] substances under the [[Controlled Drugs and Substances Act]].<ref name="urlControlled Drugs and Substances Act">{{cite web | url = http://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/acts/C-38.8/ | title = Controlled Drugs and Substances Act | publisher = Canadian Department of Justice | access-date = 27 May 2009 }}</ref>

In the United Kingdom, benzodiazepines are Class C controlled drugs, carrying the maximum penalty of 7 years imprisonment, an unlimited fine or both for possession and a maximum penalty of 14 years imprisonment, an unlimited fine or both for supplying benzodiazepines to others.<ref name="urlwww.blackpool.nhs.uk">{{cite web | url = http://www.blackpool.nhs.uk/images/uploads/CD-update-GP-v2-may08.pdf | title = Medicines Management Update | author = Blackpool NHS Primary Care Trust | date = 1 May 2008 | publisher = United Kingdom [[National Health Service]] | access-date = 27 May 2009 | url-status=dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20101204070730/http://www.blackpool.nhs.uk/images/uploads/CD-update-GP-v2-may08.pdf | archive-date = 4 December 2010 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/documents/cdlist.pdf?view=Binary | title = List of Drugs Currently Controlled Under The Misuse of Drugs Legislation | access-date = 27 May 2009 | publisher = British Government | website = Misuse of Drugs Act UK | url-status=dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070205105239/http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/documents/cdlist.pdf?view=Binary | archive-date = 5 February 2007 }}</ref>

In the Netherlands, since October 1993, benzodiazepines, including formulations containing less than 20&nbsp;mg of temazepam, are all placed on List 2 of the [[Opium Law]]. A prescription is needed for possession of all benzodiazepines. Temazepam formulations containing 20&nbsp;mg or greater of the drug are placed on List 1, thus requiring doctors to write prescriptions in the List 1 format.<ref name="urlwww.cannabisbureau.nl">{{cite web|url=http://www.cannabisbureau.nl/pdf/Opiumwet_EN_29nov2004.pdf |title=Opium Law |date=29 November 2004 |publisher=Dutch Government |access-date=27 May 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081020220115/http://www.cannabisbureau.nl/pdf/Opiumwet_EN_29nov2004.pdf |archive-date=20 October 2008 }}</ref>

In East Asia and Southeast Asia, [[temazepam]] and [[nimetazepam]] are often heavily controlled and restricted. In certain countries, [[triazolam]], [[flunitrazepam]], [[flutoprazepam]] and [[midazolam]] are also restricted or controlled to certain degrees. In Hong Kong, all benzodiazepines are regulated under Schedule 1 of [[Hong Kong|Hong Kong's]] Chapter 134 ''Dangerous Drugs Ordinance''.<ref>{{cite web | author = Hong Kong Government | author-link = Hong Kong Government | website = Hong Kong Ordinances | title = Dangerous Drugs Ordinance&nbsp;– Schedule 1 | url = http://www.hklii.org/hk/legis/en/ord/134/sch1.html | publisher = hklii.org | location = Hong Kong | access-date = 10 December 2015 | archive-date = 27 September 2011 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110927233610/http://www.hklii.org/hk/legis/en/ord/134/sch1.html | url-status = dead }}</ref> Previously only [[brotizolam]], [[flunitrazepam]] and [[triazolam]] were classed as dangerous drugs.<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Lee KK, Chan TY, Chan AW, Lau GS, Critchley JA | title = Use and abuse of benzodiazepines in Hong Kong 1990–1993 – the impact of regulatory changes | journal = Journal of Toxicology: Clinical Toxicology | volume = 33 | issue = 6 | pages = 597–602 | year = 1995 | pmid = 8523479 | doi = 10.3109/15563659509010615 }}</ref>

Internationally, benzodiazepines are categorized as [[Convention on Psychotropic Substances#Schedules of Controlled Substances|Schedule IV]] controlled drugs, apart from flunitrazepam, which is a [[Convention on Psychotropic Substances#Schedules of Controlled Substances|Schedule III]] drug under the [[Convention on Psychotropic Substances]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.incb.org/pdf/e/list/green.pdf |title=List of psychotropic substances under international control |access-date=17 December 2008 |publisher=International Narcotics Control Board |author-link=International Narcotics Control Board |date=August 2003 |website=incb.org |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051205125434/http://www.incb.org/pdf/e/list/green.pdf |archive-date=5 December 2005 }}</ref>