{"data":{"id":"us-md/md.-code-criminal-law-5-503","jurisdiction":"us-md","citation":"Md. Code, Criminal Law § 5–503","heading":"","body":"(a) In this section, “opium” includes:\n(1) codeine; and\n(2) a natural or synthetic compound, manufactured substance, salt, derivative, mixture, or preparation of opium.\n(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.\n(2) This subsection does not apply to:\n(i) a sale made to an authorized provider; or\n(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.\n(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.\n(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.\n(d) A person who violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and on conviction is subject to:\n(1) for a first violation, a fine not exceeding $1,000;\n(2) for a second violation, a fine not exceeding $2,000; or\n(3) for each subsequent violation, imprisonment not exceeding 18 months.","path":["Article - Criminal Law"],"source_url":"https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Laws/StatuteText?article=gcr\u0026section=5-503","current_through":"2026-01-01","vintage":"","retrieved_at":"2026-09-14T19:57:08Z","sha256":"1f766886840131295b192599336d209346322fc0dc9e5eeda0444debbd0e7a18","source_id":"us-md","stale":false,"prev":"us-md/md.-code-criminal-law-5-502","next":"us-md/md.-code-criminal-law-5-504"},"notice":"GroundRules: Original legal text. Not legal advice."}