Skip to main content
Find a Lawyer

Colorado Revised Statutes Title 18. Criminal Code § 18-18-308. Prescriptions

Current as of January 01, 2025 | Updated by Findlaw Staff

(1) As used in this section, “medical treatment” includes dispensing or administering a narcotic drug for pain, including intractable pain.

(2) Except as provided in section 18-18-414, a person may dispense a controlled substance only as provided in this section.

(3)(a) Except as provided in paragraph (b) of this subsection (3), a person shall not dispense a substance included in schedule II to an ultimate user of the substance without:

(I) The written prescription of a practitioner; or

(II) An electronic prescription drug order for a schedule II substance that is created and transmitted in accordance with 21 CFR 1311.

(b) A practitioner, other than a pharmacy, may dispense a schedule II substance directly to the ultimate user without a written prescription.

(4)(a) Except as provided in paragraph (b) of this subsection (4), a person shall not dispense a substance included in schedule III, IV, or V to an ultimate user of the substance without:

(I) A written or oral prescription order of a practitioner; or

(II) An electronic prescription drug order for a schedule III, IV, or V substance that is created and transmitted in accordance with 21 CFR 1311.

(b) A practitioner, other than a pharmacy, may dispense a schedule III, IV, or V substance directly to the ultimate user without a written prescription.

(c) A prescription order for a schedule III, IV, or V substance must not be filled or refilled more than six months after the date of the order or be refilled more than five times.

(5) A practitioner may dispense or deliver a controlled substance to or for an individual or animal only for medical treatment or authorized research in the ordinary course of that practitioner's profession.

(6) No civil or criminal liability or administrative sanction may be imposed on a pharmacist for action taken in reliance on a reasonable belief that an order purporting to be a prescription was issued by a practitioner in the usual course of professional treatment or in authorized research.

Previous Part of Code Next Part of Code
Back to Chapter List

Cite this article: FindLaw.com - Colorado Revised Statutes Title 18. Criminal Code § 18-18-308. Prescriptions - last updated January 01, 2025 | https://codes.findlaw.com/co/title-18-criminal-code/co-rev-st-sect-18-18-308/

FindLaw Codes may not reflect the most recent version of the law in your jurisdiction. Please verify the status of the code you are researching with the state legislature before relying on it for your legal needs.

Was this helpful?

Welcome to FindLaw's Cases & Codes

A free source of state and federal court opinions, state laws, and the United States Code. For more information about the legal concepts addressed by these cases and statutes, visit FindLaw’s Learn About the Law.

Go to Learn About the Law

Latest Blog Posts

For Legal Professionals

Learn About The Law

Get help with your legal needs

FindLaw’s Learn About the Law features thousands of informational articles to help you understand your options. And if you’re ready to hire an attorney, find one in your area who can help.

Go to Learn About the Law

Need to Find an Attorney?

Search our directory by legal issue

Enter information in one or both fields (Required)

Copied to clipboard