Hard and Soft drugs are terms to distinguish between psychoactive drugs that are addictive and perceived as especially damaging[2] and drugs that are believed to be non-addictive (or minimally addictive) and with fewer dangers associated with their use.[3] The term "soft drug" is considered controversial by its critics because it implies that the drug causes no or insignificant harm.[3]
The distinction between soft drugs and hard drugs is important in the drug policy of the Netherlands, where cannabis production, retailing and use come under official tolerance, subject to certain conditions. The Dutch Opium Law has two lists of drugs, List I and List II, that are colloquially considered to be lists of hard and soft drugs, respectively. Other countries typically have more than two categories. For example, the US has five "schedules" in the Controlled Substances Act, ranging from one through five. The UK has three "classes" in the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971: A, B and C.