A prescription medication is, by its very nature, a controlled substance. You are not just allowed to possess it and use it as you wish. You can only do this under very specific circumstances, such as when a doctor diagnoses you with an ailment and writes you a prescription for that medication. You can then pick the medicine up at the pharmacy and use it as instructed, all without breaking the law.
However, if you use that prescription medication without the proper documentation from a medical professional, it would be illegal. This is why people should never share their prescriptions. Doing so is still a violation of the law because someone who does not have the prescription is illegally using the controlled substance. On top of that, anyone who shares their own prescription medication with another person has also violated the law—even if they weren’t paid for it.
Why do people make this mistake?
People tend to make these types of mistakes simply because they originally got the medication in a legal manner. If your doctor writes you a prescription and you pick up a bottle of pills at the pharmacy, it feels like they are yours. Since they’re your property, you may assume that you can do anything with them that you wish. You feel you are adhering to the law because you got the prescription first.
But that’s not necessarily how it works. Even when the original use is legal, sharing or selling prescription medications is still a violation of the law on numerous levels.
You may find yourself facing criminal accusations. If you do, take the time to carefully consider the defense options at your disposal.