Prescription medications are technically controlled substances. Someone with medical concerns needs to see a physician to obtain a prescription for a medication. They then need to fill the prescription at a licensed pharmacy.
When people follow the correct protocol, the possession and use of prescribed medications are theoretically legal. Unfortunately, quite a few people violate controlled substances laws and may end up prosecuted as a result. Just because prescription medication is legal to possess in some scenarios does not mean that people can do whatever they want with prescription drugs.
When does it become a crime to possess (for use) prescription drugs?
When someone does not have a prescription
Some people self-diagnose their symptoms and then seek out medication that they take could help with their symptoms. Other times they may have a formal diagnosis but their prescription has already expired. In either scenario, it is illegal for someone to seek out prescription medication on the unregulated market. Anyone caught in possession of medication without a current and valid prescription could be at risk of arrest.
When people source their drugs illegally
Even if someone has a prescription, it is only legal for them to possess the medication dispensed to them by a licensed pharmacist. There are many bad actors willing to resell their own medication or prescription drugs acquired through more nefarious means. The theft of prescribed medications from people and businesses is common, especially drugs that have a strong association with abuse.
If the medication someone has belongs to someone else or was obtained by theft from a pharmacy or a person, they could be at risk of criminal prosecution. It is also worth noting that anyone who openly abuses the medication, even if they secure it legally, could be at risk of criminal prosecution as well.
Although prescribed medication is theoretically legal to use when done in compliance with state laws, there are still many ways for people to violate state statutes. Anyone who breaks the law with a prescription medication could end up facing drug charges. Learning more about drug statutes can help people avoid violations and plan an effective response if they get arrested.
