Some conduct involving drugs is obviously illegal. Public awareness campaigns all but ensure that people understand that the possession of certain substances is against the law. However, there are many other substances that are legal to possess for medical use.
Prescribed medications are a type of controlled substance. They are often necessary for symptom management or disease treatment. The law in Florida separates controlled substances into various different schedules based on their medical uses and the degree of risk they pose to the public. Doctors can prescribe controlled substances to people, but that does not necessarily mean that all possession of prescribed medications is legal.
When can people end up facing criminal charges over the possession of a prescribed drug?
When they don’t have a prescription
Legally possessing a controlled substance is only possible with a valid prescription. A doctor has to determine that the medication is necessary for someone’s treatment and write a recommendation prescribing the drug.
Patients typically need to keep their prescription medications in the packaging provided by the pharmacy to avoid questions about the legality of the substance and the validity of their prescription. People caught with a prescription drug for which they do not have a current recommendation could face arrest and prosecution.
When they secure the drug from another source
Even those with valid prescriptions can still violate state law. They might want more refills than their doctor authorized or might accept unused medication from someone they know who had the same prescription previously.
If the state can prove that someone purchased their medication on the unregulated market or possessed medication prescribed to someone else, then a valid prescription may not protect them from prosecution. Even gifted medication received from a family member is illegal to possess and use.
Although prescription medication can be very expensive, especially when people don’t have the best health insurance, patients who try to find unregulated sources of medications put themselves at risk of criminal charges. Sometimes, even small mistakes like transporting another person’s medication or moving medication into a different container can lead to arrest and criminal charges.
Learning more about how to comply with the law related to prescribed medication can be beneficial for those facing medical challenges. Seemingly minor mistakes can lead to drug charges that can forever change the course of an individual’s life.