Source: https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2017/S2814
Timestamp: 2020-01-23 23:32:30
Document Index: 745137241

Matched Legal Cases: ['§178', '§178', 'Art 178', '§178', 'Art 219', '§219', '§ 178', '§ 178', '§ 178', '§  2', '§ 3', '§ 178', '§  4', '§ 178', '§ 5', '§ 178', '§ 6', '§ 178', '§ 7', '§ 178', '§ 8', '§ 178', '§ 178', '§ 178', '§ 178', '§ 9', '§ 219', '§ 219', '§ 219', '§  219', '§ 219', '§ 219', '§ 219']

NY State Senate Bill S2814
senate Bill S2814
Get Status Alerts for S2814
ordered to third reading cal.866
S2814 (ACTIVE) - Details
Amd §§178.00 - 178.25, add §178.30, Art 178-A §§178.50 - 178.65, Title M Art 219 §§219.00 - 219.30, Pen L
2011-2012: S5260, A7251
2013-2014: S2942, A4085
2015-2016: S5396, A10069
S2814 (ACTIVE) - Summary
Relates to criminal diversion of prescription medications and prescriptions; establishes the offense of fraudulent prescription, dispensing and procurement of non-controlled substance prescription medications and devices; establishes the offense of unlawful possession of non-controlled substance prescription medications and devices.
S2814 (ACTIVE) - Sponsor Memo
BILL NUMBER:  S2814
criminal diversion of prescription medications and prescriptions,
establishing the offense of fraudulent prescription, dispensing and
procurement of non-controlled substance prescription medications and
devices, and establishing the offense of unlawful possession of
non-controlled substance prescription medications and devices
This bill would address the growing black market in prescription drugs
by restructuring the existing crime of criminal diversion of
prescription medications and adding a new Penal Law article 179
entitled Fraudulent Prescription, Dispensing and Procurement of
Non-controlled Substance Prescription Medications and Devices, and a
new article 219 entitled unlawful possession of non-controlled
substance prescription medications and devices.
Sections 1 through 7 of the bill restructure the existing crime of
criminal diversion of prescription medications and prescriptions by
amending Penal Law ("PL") §§ 178.00, 178.05, 178.10, 178.15, 178.20
and 178.25, and by adding a new section 178.30. This restructuring
enhances sanctions when unlawful criminal diversion acts are committed
on multiple occasions within a given period of time and when such acts
are committed by a physician, pharmacist or other person authorized to
issue a prescription or to dispense prescription medications and
Section 178.00 is amended to clarify that transactions with undercover
agents may also be also be prosecuted under this section if the dealer
believes, or has reasonable basis to believe, that the officer is
someone who is not authorized by law to sell or transfer the
prescription form, prescription medication or device. Section 178.05
is amended to clarify that those seeking to obtain a lawful
prescription or prescription medication, and those seeking to assist
such persons, are exempt from prosecution for criminal diversion.
Section 8 of the bill adds a new PL Article 178-A entitled Fraudulent
Prescription, Dispensing and Procurement of Non-controlled substance
Prescription Medications and Devices. This Article New PL § 178-A
establishes the crime of fraudulent prescription, dispensing and
devices in the first, second and third degree. Generally, this crime
*Issuance of a prescription; 1) when the issuer is not duly licensed
and authorized to do so, 2)with knowledge or reasonable grounds to
know that the prescription is not medically necessary, or 3) when
issued other than good faith;
*Dispensing of a non-controlled substance; 1)with knowledge or
reasonable grounds to know that the person for whom the medication has
been prescribed has no medical need, 2) when the prescription was not
issued by a duly licensed physician or other person authorized, 3)
when the prescription was forged, or 4) when the prescription was
written by a physician or other authorized individual not acting in
good faith; and,
*Presenting or submitting a prescription, or receiving a
non-controlled substance or device from a pharmacist with knowledge or
reasonable grounds to know that the prescription was not duly issued
and authorized to an individual with a medical need for prescription.
Fraudulent prescription, dispensing and procurement of a
non-controlled substance prescription in the first degree is a class B
felony, in the second degree is a class C felony, and in the third
Section 9 of the bill adds a new PL Article 219 entitled Unlawful
Possession of Non-Controlled Substance Prescription Medications and
Devices. This Article defines terms for purposes therein, sets out
limitations its applicability, and establishes the crime of unlawful
devices in the fifth to first degrees.
Section 10 provides an effective date.
Expensive non-controlled substance prescription medications such as
AIDS medication, asthma medication, and anti-psychotic medication have
obtained a high street value, making, them particularly popular on the
black-market in the last few years. This exploding blackmarket in
non-controlled substance prescription medications is well documented.
Last April, New York authorities arrested four individuals heading a
black market HIV/AIDS prescription drug scam which cost the Medicaid
program an estimated $150 million. These individuals were charged with
grand larceny, criminal diversion, money laundering and conspiracy,
among other felonies. In May, 14 individuals in Manhattan were charged
in a massive illegal prescription pill diversion and distribution
scheme that distributed over 10,000 pills weekly. In July, the U.S.
Attorney announced charges against 48 individuals in a prescription
fraud ring.  One of the primary drugs targeted by this group was the
HIV drug Atripla, which has a Medicaid reimbursement value of $1,635
per bottle. Then this October, Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman
announced a $1.2 million dollar settlement with NYC pharmacist who
sold these black market medications.
As the New York Times reports, these "different sort of drug deals"
usually occur on the street or at the train station when an
individual, pharmacy bag in hand, passes through - either
intentionally, or unintentionally - a gantlet of dealers. The
individuals are approached and asked if they have prescription drugs
to sell. The sought after, expensive medications with a high street
value are most often paid for with Medicaid dollars and sold on the
street for a fraction of their actual value. The purchasers of these
medications bring the medications to a stash house where they are
collected and re-sold back to unscrupulous pharmacies or shipped
There are many negative and severe consequences resulting from these
black market deals, which include: sick patients not taking their
medications; unsuspecting patients purchasing black market drugs from
their pharmacy which have not been properly stored and maintained;
and, Medicaid paying huge sums for medications that are dispensed
under these fraudulent circumstances.
An unscrupulous pharmacy can charge Medicaid for medicine that it has
purchased at a significantly lower price through the black market.
Most likely Medicaid has already paid for this same medicine on an
earlier occasion when it was originally dispensed to the patient who
subsequently sold the medicine on the street.
Current law does not contemplate a large-scale illegal market of these
drugs. As a result, there is either no penalty or insufficient
penalties for the following conduct:
*repeated purchases of non-controlled substance prescription
medications from someone not authorized to sell or transfer the
medication (the dealers who buy the medications and enter them into
the black market);
*possession of large quantities of non-controlled substance
prescription medications by someone with no lawful basis for the
prescription (the people who have the stash houses for the black
market medicine);
*the writing of fraudulent prescriptions by physicians to "patients"
with no medical need for the medication; and
*the purchasing or dispensing of medications by pharmacists who have
obtained the medication through the black market.
The gaps in existing law and the growth of this black market make it
self-evident that change is necessary. This legislation will address
this by increasing, or establishing, criminal penalties that better
fit these crimes. In addition to making sure sick patients take
necessary medication and that pharmacies are not selling black market
drugs, this bill will save the Medicaid program millions a year. It is
estimated that the prosecution of just 5 doctors who are unlawfully
prescribing non-controlled substances could save Medicaid $3.5 million
2016: S.5396 - Passed Senate, died in Assembly
2014: S.2942 - Passed Senate
2012: S.5260-C - Passed Senate
2011: S.5260-B - Passed Senate
Savings to State Medicaid Program.
This act shall take effect 90 days after becoming a law.
S2814 (ACTIVE) - Bill Text download pdf
AN ACT to amend the penal law, in  relation  to  criminal  diversion  of
prescription  medications  and prescriptions, establishing the offense
of fraudulent prescription, dispensing and  procurement  of  non-cont-
rolled  substance prescription medications and devices, and establish-
ing the offense of unlawful  possession  of  non-controlled  substance
prescription medications and devices
Section 1.  Section 178.00 of the penal law, as added by chapter 81 of
§ 178.00 Criminal   diversion   of    prescription    medications    and
1.  "Prescription  medication or device" means any article for which a
prescription is required in order to  be  lawfully  sold,  delivered  or
2.  "Prescription"  means  a  direction or authorization by means of a
written  prescription  form,  ELECTRONIC   PRESCRIPTION   or   an   oral
prescription  which  permits  a person to lawfully obtain a prescription
medication or  device  from  any  person  authorized  to  dispense  such
prescription medication or device.
3.  "PRESCRIPTION  FORM"  MEANS  AN  OFFICIAL  STATE PRESCRIPTION FORM
AUTHORIZED BY A STATE FOR USE  BY  HEALTH  PRACTITIONERS  AUTHORIZED  TO
4.  "Criminal  diversion  act"  means an act or acts in which a person
LBD02907-01-7
S. 2814                             2
(a) transfers or delivers,  in  exchange  for  anything  of  pecuniary
value,  a prescription medication or device with knowledge or reasonable
(b)   receives,  in  exchange  for  anything  of  pecuniary  value,  a
prescription medication or device with knowledge or  reasonable  grounds
to  know  that the seller or transferor is not authorized by law to sell
(c)  RECEIVES,  IN  EXCHANGE  FOR  ANYTHING  OF  PECUNIARY  VALUE,   A
PRESCRIPTION  MEDICATION  OR  DEVICE, PRESCRIPTION, OR PRESCRIPTION FORM
FROM A LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER ACTING IN AN UNDERCOVER CAPACITY  OR  HIS
OR  HER AGENT, BELIEVING OR HAVING REASONABLE GROUND TO BELIEVE THAT THE
OFFICER OR HIS OR HER AGENT IS SOMEONE WHO IS NOT AUTHORIZED BY  LAW  TO
SELL  OR  TRANSFER SUCH PRESCRIPTION MEDICATION OR DEVICE, PRESCRIPTION,
OR PRESCRIPTION FORM; OR
(D) transfers or delivers  a  prescription  OR  PRESCRIPTION  FORM  in
exchange for anything of pecuniary value; or
[(d)] (E) receives a prescription OR PRESCRIPTION FORM in exchange for
§  2.  Paragraph  (c)  of subdivision 1 of section 178.05 of the penal
law, as added by chapter 81 of the laws of 1995, is amended and two  new
paragraphs (d) and (e) are added to read as follows:
(c)  a  person  acting  in  good faith WHO IS seeking [treatment for a
medical condition or assisting another person to obtain treatment for  a
medical  condition] TO OBTAIN A PRESCRIPTION, PRESCRIPTION MEDICATION OR
DEVICE THAT HAS BEEN LAWFULLY PRESCRIBED TO HIM OR HER, AND FOR WHICH HE
OR SHE HAS A MEDICAL NEED; OR
(D) A PERSON ACTING IN GOOD FAITH, WHO REASONABLY BELIEVES THAT HE  OR
SHE  IS  ASSISTING ANOTHER PERSON TO OBTAIN A PRESCRIPTION, PRESCRIPTION
MEDICATION OR DEVICE THAT HAS BEEN LAWFULLY  PRESCRIBED  TO  THAT  OTHER
(E)  A DULY REGISTERED MANUFACTURER OR WHOLESALER OF DRUGS, AS DEFINED
IN ARTICLE ONE HUNDRED THIRTY-SEVEN OF THE EDUCATION LAW, ACTING IN GOOD
FAITH IN THE LAWFUL COURSE OF HIS OR HER BUSINESS.
§ 3. Section 178.10 of the penal law, as added by chapter  81  of  the
§ 178.10 Criminal    diversion    of    prescription   medications   and
prescriptions in the [fourth] FIFTH degree.
A person is guilty of criminal diversion of  prescription  medications
and  prescriptions in the [fourth] FIFTH degree when he or she commits a
criminal diversion act.
Criminal diversion of prescription medications  and  prescriptions  in
the [fourth] FIFTH degree is a class A misdemeanor.
§  4.  Section  178.15 of the penal law, as added by chapter 81 of the
law of 1995, is amended to read as follows:
§ 178.15 Criminal   diversion   of    prescription    medications    and
prescriptions in the [third] FOURTH degree.
A  person  is guilty of criminal diversion of prescription medications
and prescriptions in the [third] FOURTH degree when he or she:
1. commits a criminal diversion act, and  the  value  of  the  benefit
and  prescriptions in the [fourth] FIFTH degree, and has previously been
convicted of [the crime of criminal diversion  of  prescription  medica-
tions and prescriptions in the fourth degree] AN OFFENSE DEFINED IN THIS
S. 2814                             3
3. COMMITS THE CRIME OF CRIMINAL DIVERSION OF PRESCRIPTION MEDICATIONS
AND  PRESCRIPTIONS  IN  THE FIFTH DEGREE ON TWO OR MORE OCCASIONS OVER A
THIRTY-FIVE DAY PERIOD.
Criminal  diversion  of  prescription medications and prescriptions in
the [third] FOURTH degree is a class E felony.
§ 5.  Section 178.20 of the penal law, as added by chapter 81  of  the
§ 178.20 Criminal    diversion    of    prescription   medications   and
prescriptions in the [second] THIRD degree.
and prescriptions in the [second] THIRD degree when he or she:
1.  commits  a  criminal  diversion  act, and the value of the benefit
exchanged is in excess of three thousand dollars; OR
AND PRESCRIPTIONS IN THE FIFTH DEGREE ON FOUR OR MORE OCCASIONS  OVER  A
THIRTY-FIVE DAY PERIOD; OR
3.    COMMITS  THE CRIME OF CRIMINAL DIVERSION OF PRESCRIPTION MEDICA-
TIONS AND PRESCRIPTIONS IN THE FIFTH DEGREE, AND IS:
(A) A PHYSICIAN OR OTHER PERSON AUTHORIZED TO ISSUE A PRESCRIPTION; OR
(B) A PHARMACIST OR OTHER PERSON AUTHORIZED TO  DISPENSE  PRESCRIPTION
MEDICATIONS AND DEVICES.
the [second] THIRD degree is a class D felony.
§ 6. Section 178.25 of the penal law, as added by chapter  81  of  the
§ 178.25 Criminal    diversion    of    prescription   medications   and
prescriptions in the [first] SECOND degree.
and prescriptions in the [first] SECOND degree when he or she:
exchanged is in excess of fifty thousand dollars; OR
AND PRESCRIPTIONS IN THE FIFTH DEGREE ON SIX OR MORE  OCCASIONS  OVER  A
NINETY DAY PERIOD, AND IS:
the [first] SECOND degree is a class C felony.
§ 7. The penal law is amended by adding a new section 178.30  to  read
§ 178.30 CRIMINAL    DIVERSION    OF    PRESCRIPTION   MEDICATIONS   AND
AND  PRESCRIPTIONS  IN THE FIRST DEGREE WHEN HE OR SHE COMMITS THE CRIME
OF CRIMINAL DIVERSION OF PRESCRIPTION MEDICATIONS  OR  PRESCRIPTIONS  IN
THE FIFTH DEGREE ON FIVE OR MORE OCCASIONS OVER A NINETY DAY PERIOD, AND
(B)  A  PHARMACIST OR OTHER PERSON AUTHORIZED TO DISPENSE PRESCRIPTION
THE FIRST DEGREE IS A CLASS B FELONY.
S. 2814                             4
§ 8. The penal law is amended by adding a new article 178-A to read as
ARTICLE 178-A
FRAUDULENT PRESCRIPTION, DISPENSING AND PROCUREMENT OF
SECTION 178.50 DEFINITIONS.
178.55 FRAUDULENT  PRESCRIPTION,  DISPENSING  AND PROCUREMENT OF
NON-CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE PRESCRIPTION  MEDICATIONS  AND
DEVICES IN THE THIRD DEGREE.
178.60 FRAUDULENT  PRESCRIPTION,  DISPENSING  AND PROCUREMENT OF
DEVICES IN THE SECOND DEGREE.
178.65 FRAUDULENT  PRESCRIPTION,  DISPENSING  AND PROCUREMENT OF
DEVICES IN THE FIRST DEGREE.
§ 178.50 DEFINITIONS.
WRITTEN  PRESCRIPTION  FORM,  AN  ELECTRONIC  PRESCRIPTION  OR  AN  ORAL
3.  "CONTROLLED  SUBSTANCE"  MEANS ANY SUBSTANCE LISTED IN SCHEDULE I,
DEFINED IN PARAGRAPH (A) OF SUBDIVISION  FOUR  OF  SECTION  THIRTY-THREE
4.   "DISPENSING"  AND  "DISPENSES"  REFER  TO  THE  DISPENSING  OF  A
PRESCRIPTION MEDICATION OR DEVICE FROM OR WITHIN A  PHARMACY,  HOSPITAL,
PHYSICIAN'S OFFICE, CLINIC OR OTHER PHARMACEUTICAL OR MEDICAL FACILITY.
§ 178.55 FRAUDULENT  PRESCRIPTION,  DISPENSING  AND  PROCUREMENT OF NON-
CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE PRESCRIPTION MEDICATIONS AND DEVICES  IN
A PERSON IS GUILTY OF FRAUDULENT PRESCRIPTION, DISPENSING AND PROCURE-
MENT OF NON-CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE PRESCRIPTION MEDICATIONS AND DEVICES IN
THE THIRD DEGREE WHEN HE OR SHE:
1.  ISSUES  A WRITTEN, ELECTRONIC OR ORAL PRESCRIPTION FOR A NON-CONT-
ROLLED SUBSTANCE PRESCRIPTION MEDICATION OR DEVICE, AND IS  NOT  A  DULY
LICENSED   PHYSICIAN   OR   OTHER   PERSON   AUTHORIZED  TO  ISSUE  SUCH
PRESCRIPTION; OR
2. DISPENSES A NON-CONTROLLED  SUBSTANCE  PRESCRIPTION  MEDICATION  OR
DEVICE, WITH KNOWLEDGE OR REASONABLE GROUNDS TO KNOW THAT:
(A)  THE  PERSON FOR WHOM THE MEDICATION OR DEVICE HAS BEEN PRESCRIBED
HAS NO MEDICAL NEED FOR SUCH MEDICATION OR DEVICE; OR
(B) NO PRESCRIPTION FOR SUCH MEDICATION OR DEVICE WAS ISSUED BY A DULY
LICENSED  PHYSICIAN  OR  OTHER   PERSON   AUTHORIZED   TO   ISSUE   SUCH
(C) THE PRESCRIPTION FOR SUCH MEDICATION OR DEVICE WAS FORGED; OR
(D)  THE  PRESCRIPTION  FOR  SUCH MEDICATION OR DEVICE WAS ISSUED BY A
DULY LICENSED  PHYSICIAN  OR  OTHER  PERSON  AUTHORIZED  TO  ISSUE  SUCH
PRESCRIPTION  WHO  WAS  ACTING  OTHER  THAN  IN GOOD FAITH IN THE LAWFUL
COURSE OF HIS OR HER PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE; OR
S. 2814                             5
3. PRESENTS OR SUBMITS A PRESCRIPTION FOR A  NON-CONTROLLED  SUBSTANCE
PRESCRIPTION  MEDICATION  OR  DEVICE  TO,  OR  RECEIVES A NON-CONTROLLED
SUBSTANCE PRESCRIPTION MEDICATION OR DEVICE FROM, A DULY LICENSED  PHAR-
MACIST  OR OTHER PERSON AUTHORIZED TO DISPENSE SUCH PRESCRIPTION MEDICA-
TION OR DEVICE, WITH KNOWLEDGE OR REASONABLE GROUNDS TO KNOW THAT:
(B) THE PRESCRIPTION FOR SUCH MEDICATION OR DEVICE WAS NOT ISSUED BY A
FRAUDULENT PRESCRIPTION, DISPENSING AND PROCUREMENT OF  NON-CONTROLLED
SUBSTANCE  PRESCRIPTION MEDICATIONS AND DEVICES IN THE THIRD DEGREE IS A
§ 178.60 FRAUDULENT PRESCRIPTION, DISPENSING  AND  PROCUREMENT  OF  NON-
CONTROLLED  SUBSTANCE PRESCRIPTION MEDICATIONS AND DEVICES IN
THE SECOND DEGREE WHEN HE OR SHE:
1. BEING A DULY LICENSED PHYSICIAN OR OTHER PERSON AUTHORIZED TO ISSUE
A PRESCRIPTION, ISSUES A WRITTEN, ELECTRONIC OR ORAL PRESCRIPTION FOR  A
NON-CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE PRESCRIPTION MEDICATION OR DEVICE, OR DISPENSES
A NON-CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE PRESCRIPTION MEDICATION OR DEVICE:
(A)  WITH  KNOWLEDGE OR REASONABLE GROUNDS TO KNOW THAT THE PERSON FOR
WHOM THE PRESCRIPTION IS ISSUED, OR TO WHOM THE MEDICATION IS DISPENSED,
HAS NO  MEDICAL  NEED  FOR  THE  MEDICATION  OR  DEVICE  THAT  IS  BEING
(B)  OTHER  THAN  IN  GOOD  FAITH  IN  THE LAWFUL COURSE OF HIS OR HER
2. BEING A DULY LICENSED PHARMACIST  OR  OTHER  PERSON  AUTHORIZED  TO
DISPENSE A PRESCRIPTION MEDICATION OR DEVICE, DISPENSES A NON-CONTROLLED
SUBSTANCE PRESCRIPTION MEDICATION OR DEVICE:
(A) WITH KNOWLEDGE OR REASONABLE GROUNDS TO KNOW THAT:
(I)  THE  PERSON FOR WHOM THE MEDICATION OR DEVICE HAS BEEN PRESCRIBED
(II) THE PRESCRIPTION FOR SUCH MEDICATION OR DEVICE WAS NOT ISSUED  BY
A  DULY  LICENSED  PHYSICIAN  OR  OTHER  PERSON AUTHORIZED TO ISSUE SUCH
(III) THE PRESCRIPTION FOR SUCH MEDICATION OR DEVICE WAS FORGED; OR
(IV) THE PRESCRIPTION FOR SUCH MEDICATION OR DEVICE WAS  ISSUED  BY  A
DULY  LICENSED  PHYSICIAN  OR  OTHER  PERSON  AUTHORIZED  TO  ISSUE SUCH
PRESCRIPTION WHO WAS ACTING OTHER THAN  IN  GOOD  FAITH  IN  THE  LAWFUL
(B)  OTHER  THAN  IN  GOOD  FAITH,  IN THE COURSE OF HIS OR HER LAWFUL
SUBSTANCE PRESCRIPTION MEDICATIONS AND DEVICES IN THE SECOND DEGREE IS A
§ 178.65 FRAUDULENT  PRESCRIPTION,  DISPENSING  AND  PROCUREMENT OF NON-
S. 2814                             6
THE  FIRST DEGREE WHEN HE OR SHE, BEING EITHER A DULY LICENSED PHYSICIAN
OR OTHER PERSON AUTHORIZED TO ISSUE A PRESCRIPTION, OR A  DULY  LICENSED
PHARMACIST OR OTHER PERSON AUTHORIZED TO DISPENSE A PRESCRIPTION MEDICA-
TION OR DEVICE, COMMITS THE CRIME OF FRAUDULENT PRESCRIPTION, DISPENSING
AND PROCUREMENT OF NON-CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE PRESCRIPTION MEDICATIONS AND
DEVICES  IN  THE  SECOND DEGREE ON TWO OR MORE OCCASIONS WITHIN A NINETY
SUBSTANCE  PRESCRIPTION MEDICATIONS AND DEVICES IN THE FIRST DEGREE IS A
§ 9. Title M of the penal law is amended by adding a new  article  219
UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF NON-CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE PRESCRIPTION
SECTION 219.00 DEFINITIONS.
219.05 LIMITATIONS ON APPLICATION OF ARTICLE.
219.10 UNLAWFUL    POSSESSION    OF   NON-CONTROLLED   SUBSTANCE
PRESCRIPTION  MEDICATIONS  AND  DEVICES  IN  THE  FIFTH
219.15 UNLAWFUL    POSSESSION    OF   NON-CONTROLLED   SUBSTANCE
PRESCRIPTION MEDICATIONS  AND  DEVICES  IN  THE  FOURTH
219.20 UNLAWFUL    POSSESSION    OF   NON-CONTROLLED   SUBSTANCE
PRESCRIPTION  MEDICATIONS  AND  DEVICES  IN  THE  THIRD
219.25 UNLAWFUL    POSSESSION    OF   NON-CONTROLLED   SUBSTANCE
PRESCRIPTION MEDICATIONS  AND  DEVICES  IN  THE  SECOND
219.30 UNLAWFUL    POSSESSION    OF   NON-CONTROLLED   SUBSTANCE
PRESCRIPTION  MEDICATIONS  AND  DEVICES  IN  THE  FIRST
§ 219.00 DEFINITIONS.
4.  THE  VALUE  OF A PRESCRIPTION MEDICATION OR DEVICE SHALL BE EQUIV-
ALENT TO THE FAIR MARKET VALUE OF  SUCH  MEDICATION  OR  DEVICE  ON  THE
LAWFUL  RETAIL  MARKET,  AT  ABOUT  THE TIME AND PLACE THAT THE CRIME IS
§ 219.05 LIMITATIONS ON APPLICATION OF ARTICLE.
S. 2814                             7
THE PROVISIONS OF THIS ARTICLE RESTRICTING THE UNLAWFUL POSSESSION  OF
NON-CONTROLLED  SUBSTANCE PRESCRIPTION MEDICATIONS AND DEVICES SHALL NOT
1.  TO  COMMON  CARRIERS OR TO WAREHOUSEMEN, WHILE ENGAGED IN LAWFULLY
TRANSPORTING OR STORING SUCH NON-CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE PRESCRIPTION MEDI-
CATIONS AND DEVICES, OR TO ANY EMPLOYEE OF THE SAME  ACTING  WITHIN  THE
SCOPE OF HIS OR HER EMPLOYMENT; OR
2.  TO PUBLIC OFFICERS OR THEIR EMPLOYEES IN THE LAWFUL PERFORMANCE OF
THEIR OFFICIAL DUTIES REQUIRING THE POSSESSION OR CONTROL OF  SUCH  NON-
CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE PRESCRIPTION MEDICATIONS AND DEVICES; OR
3.  TO  TEMPORARY  INCIDENTAL  POSSESSION  BY  EMPLOYEES  OR AGENTS OF
PERSONS LAWFULLY  ENTITLED  TO  POSSESS  SUCH  NON-CONTROLLED  SUBSTANCE
PRESCRIPTION  MEDICATIONS AND DEVICES, OR BY PERSONS WHOSE POSSESSION IS
FOR THE PURPOSE OF AIDING PUBLIC OFFICERS IN PERFORMING  THEIR  OFFICIAL
4.  TO  A  DULY  LICENSED PHYSICIAN, DULY LICENSED PHARMACIST OR OTHER
PERSON AUTHORIZED TO POSSESS OR DISPENSE SUCH  NON-CONTROLLED  SUBSTANCE
PRESCRIPTION MEDICATIONS AND DEVICES, ACTING IN GOOD FAITH IN THE LAWFUL
COURSE OF HIS OR HER PROFESSION; OR
5. TO TEMPORARY INCIDENTAL POSSESSION BY A PERSON ACTING IN GOOD FAITH
WHO  REASONABLY  BELIEVES  THAT HE OR SHE IS ASSISTING ANOTHER PERSON TO
OBTAIN A NON-CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE PRESCRIPTION MEDICATION OR DEVICE THAT
HAS BEEN LAWFULLY PRESCRIBED TO THAT OTHER PERSON.
§ 219.10 UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF  NON-CONTROLLED  SUBSTANCE  PRESCRIPTION
MEDICATIONS AND DEVICES IN THE FIFTH DEGREE.
A  PERSON IS GUILTY OF UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF NON-CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE
PRESCRIPTION MEDICATIONS AND DEVICES  IN  THE  FIFTH  DEGREE  WHEN  SUCH
PERSON   KNOWINGLY   POSSESSES  ONE  OR  MORE  NON-CONTROLLED  SUBSTANCE
PRESCRIPTION MEDICATIONS OR DEVICES WHICH WERE NOT  LAWFULLY  PRESCRIBED
TO  HIM OR HER, UNDER CIRCUMSTANCES EVINCING AN INTENT TO SELL THE SAME;
1. THE AGGREGATE VALUE OF SUCH NON-CONTROLLED  SUBSTANCE  PRESCRIPTION
MEDICATIONS AND DEVICES EXCEEDS TWO HUNDRED DOLLARS; OR
2.  HE  OR  SHE POSSESSES TWENTY OR MORE PILLS, TABLETS OR CAPSULES OF
SUCH NON-CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE PRESCRIPTION MEDICATIONS AND DEVICES.
UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF NON-CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE  PRESCRIPTION  MEDICA-
TIONS AND DEVICES IN THE FIFTH DEGREE IS A CLASS A MISDEMEANOR.
§  219.15  UNLAWFUL  POSSESSION OF NON-CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE PRESCRIPTION
MEDICATIONS AND DEVICES IN THE FOURTH DEGREE.
A PERSON IS GUILTY OF UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF NON-CONTROLLED  SUBSTANCE
PRESCRIPTION MEDICATIONS AND DEVICES IN THE FOURTH DEGREE WHEN HE OR SHE
KNOWINGLY  AND UNLAWFULLY POSSESSES ONE OR MORE NON-CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE
PRESCRIPTION MEDICATIONS AND DEVICES WHICH WERE NOT LAWFULLY  PRESCRIBED
TO HIM OR HER; AND
1.  THE  AGGREGATE VALUE OF SUCH NON-CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE PRESCRIPTION
MEDICATIONS AND DEVICES EXCEEDS FIVE HUNDRED DOLLARS; OR
2. HE OR SHE POSSESSES FIFTY OR MORE PILLS,  TABLETS  OR  CAPSULES  OF
SUCH NON-CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE PRESCRIPTION MEDICATIONS AND DEVICES; OR
3. HE OR SHE POSSESSES A NON-CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE PRESCRIPTION MEDICA-
TION OR DEVICE WITH AN INTENT TO SELL IT; OR
4.  HE  OR  SHE  COMMITS THE CRIME OF UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF NON-CONT-
ROLLED PRESCRIPTION MEDICATIONS AND DEVICES IN THE FIFTH DEGREE, AND HAS
PREVIOUSLY BEEN CONVICTED OF AN OFFENSE DEFINED IN THIS ARTICLE.
TIONS AND DEVICES IN THE FOURTH DEGREE IS A CLASS E FELONY.
S. 2814                             8
§ 219.20 UNLAWFUL  POSSESSION  OF  NON-CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE PRESCRIPTION
MEDICATIONS AND DEVICES IN THE THIRD DEGREE.
PRESCRIPTION MEDICATIONS AND DEVICES IN THE THIRD DEGREE WHEN HE OR  SHE
MEDICATIONS AND DEVICES EXCEEDS FIFTEEN HUNDRED DOLLARS; OR
2. HE OR SHE POSSESSES ONE HUNDRED FIFTY OR  MORE  PILLS,  TABLETS  OR
CAPSULES  OF  SUCH NON-CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE PRESCRIPTION MEDICATIONS AND
TIONS AND DEVICES IN THE THIRD DEGREE IS A CLASS D FELONY.
§ 219.25 UNLAWFUL  POSSESSION  OF  NON-CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE PRESCRIPTION
MEDICATIONS AND DEVICES IN THE SECOND DEGREE.
PRESCRIPTION MEDICATIONS AND DEVICES IN THE SECOND DEGREE WHEN HE OR SHE
MEDICATIONS AND DEVICES EXCEEDS TEN THOUSAND DOLLARS; OR
2. HE OR SHE POSSESSES ONE THOUSAND OR MORE PILLS, TABLETS OR CAPSULES
OF SUCH NON-CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE PRESCRIPTION MEDICATIONS AND DEVICES.
TIONS AND DEVICES IN THE SECOND DEGREE IS A CLASS C FELONY.
§ 219.30 UNLAWFUL  POSSESSION  OF  NON-CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE PRESCRIPTION
MEDICATIONS AND DEVICES IN THE FIRST DEGREE.
PRESCRIPTION  MEDICATIONS AND DEVICES IN THE FIRST DEGREE WHEN HE OR SHE
KNOWINGLY AND UNLAWFULLY POSSESSES ONE OR MORE NON-CONTROLLED  SUBSTANCE
PRESCRIPTION  MEDICATIONS AND DEVICES WHICH WERE NOT LAWFULLY PRESCRIBED
MEDICATIONS AND DEVICES EXCEEDS ONE HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS; OR
2. HE OR SHE POSSESSES TEN THOUSAND OR MORE PILLS, TABLETS OR CAPSULES
UNLAWFUL  POSSESSION  OF NON-CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE PRESCRIPTION MEDICA-
TIONS AND DEVICES IN THE FIRST DEGREE IS A CLASS B FELONY.