Md. Code, Criminal Law § 5-503
This is the official text of Md. Code, Criminal Law § 5-503, part of Maryland’s Code, Criminal Law — defines crimes and punishments in Maryland.
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§5–503.
Official statutory text
(a) In this section, “opium” includes:
(1) codeine; and
(2) a natural or synthetic compound, manufactured substance, salt, derivative, mixture, or preparation of opium.
(b) (1) Except on a valid prescription of an authorized prescriber as defined in § 12-101 of the Health Occupations Article, a person may not dispense, give, or sell a preparation containing opium or any of its derivatives.
(2) This subsection does not apply to:
(i) a sale made to an authorized provider; or
(ii) a sale made by a manufacturer, distributor, or licensed pharmacy to a hospital or institution that operates a dispensary in which an authorized provider is in charge.
(c) (1) Except on a prescription from an authorized prescriber as defined in § 12-101 of the Health Occupations Article, a person may not possess or control a preparation containing opium or its derivatives.
(2) A person may possess or control a preparation containing opium or its derivatives if the possession or control is in the regular course of lawful business, occupation, profession, employment, or duty of the person.
(d) A person who violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and on conviction is subject to:
(1) for a first violation, a fine not exceeding $1,000;
(2) for a second violation, a fine not exceeding $2,000; or
(3) for each subsequent violation, imprisonment not exceeding 18 months.
(1) codeine; and
(2) a natural or synthetic compound, manufactured substance, salt, derivative, mixture, or preparation of opium.
(b) (1) Except on a valid prescription of an authorized prescriber as defined in § 12-101 of the Health Occupations Article, a person may not dispense, give, or sell a preparation containing opium or any of its derivatives.
(2) This subsection does not apply to:
(i) a sale made to an authorized provider; or
(ii) a sale made by a manufacturer, distributor, or licensed pharmacy to a hospital or institution that operates a dispensary in which an authorized provider is in charge.
(c) (1) Except on a prescription from an authorized prescriber as defined in § 12-101 of the Health Occupations Article, a person may not possess or control a preparation containing opium or its derivatives.
(2) A person may possess or control a preparation containing opium or its derivatives if the possession or control is in the regular course of lawful business, occupation, profession, employment, or duty of the person.
(d) A person who violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and on conviction is subject to:
(1) for a first violation, a fine not exceeding $1,000;
(2) for a second violation, a fine not exceeding $2,000; or
(3) for each subsequent violation, imprisonment not exceeding 18 months.
Status: in_force · Read it on the official government site
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