Which of the following is a characteristic of Schedule III controlled substances?

Schedule III controlled substances are recognized for their accepted medical use in the United States. This classification indicates that these substances have a valid therapeutic purpose, allowing them to be prescribed for treatment of various medical conditions. While Schedule III substances do have a potential for abuse, it is considered less than that of Schedule I and II substances, which are deemed to have a higher risk of dependency and abuse. Therefore, the accepted medical use is a key characteristic that defines Schedule III substances, distinguishing them from those in higher schedules that may not be prescribed due to the risks associated with their use.

To provide further context, Schedule III substances typically have a moderate to low potential for physical dependency and represent a balance between therapeutic benefit and risk of abuse compared to stricter schedules. This is why the other options do not apply; substances classified as Schedule III do not have a high potential for abuse as defined by Schedule I and II, nor do they lead to severe physical dependence. Additionally, they are not classified as having no accepted medical use, as that would refer to substances in higher schedules, like Schedule I, which are not prescribed at all.