Section 5-503 - Opium. - Maryland Statutes

§ 5-503. Opium.
 

(a)  "Opium" defined.- In this section, "opium" includes: 

(1) codeine; and 

(2) a natural or synthetic compound, manufactured substance, salt, derivative, mixture, or preparation of opium. 

(b)  Prescription required; exceptions.-  

(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)  Possession of opium.-  

(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)  Penalty.- 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. 
 

[An. Code 1957, art. 27, § 285(d); 2002, ch. 26, § 2; 2003, ch. 21, § 1.]