Most people are well aware of the fact that it’s a crime to sell prescription drugs. However, many people don’t know nearly as much about the laws that govern sharing or giving away prescription drugs.
Here is why there is so much gray area: With no cash changing hands, it’s easy to believe that you are permitted to give away or share prescription drugs with anyone you want.
In some cases, giving away a prescription drug can be just as serious as selling it.
First things first: You need to understand what a prescription means. With this, only the person named on the script is allowed to possess and consume the medication. Without this prescription, anyone who possesses or consumes the drug is breaking the law.
What type of trouble will this bring? There are times when you share a prescription drug with a family member, such as a spouse, and nobody knows the difference.
However, if you partake in a more calculated scheme, such as obtaining a prescription drug with the idea of giving it away, it could land you in hot water with the law. Penalties for this type of crime depend on how much of the drug you’re sharing, the type of drug and who you are sharing it with.
In the most serious of cases, you could be sentenced up to 30 years in federal prison.
If you’re charged with a crime after giving a prescription drug to another person, it’s important to learn more about your legal rights. Even though you feel that you did nothing wrong, the court may treat you differently. This is why you need to implement a defense strategy to help you avoid a serious punishment.
Source: FindLaw, “Is It Illegal to Share or Give Away Prescription Drugs?,” accessed April 14, 2017
