South Carolina Law > Code of Laws > Title 44

SECTION 44-53-10.General powers of Department of Health and Environmental Control regarding controlled substances.

The Department of Health and Environmental Control shall take cognizance of the interest of the public health as it relates to the sale of drugs and the adulteration thereof and shall make all necessary inquiries and investigations relating thereto. For such purpose it may appoint inspectors, analysts and chemists who shall be subject to its supervision and removal. The Department shall adopt such measures as it may deem necessary to facilitate the enforcement of this chapter. It shall prepare rules and regulations with regard to the proper method of collecting and examining drugs.

HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 32-1451; 1952 Code Section 32-1451; 1942 Code Section 5124; 1932 Code Section 5124; Civ. C. '22 Section 3451; Civ. C. '12 Section 2390; Civ. C. '02 Section 1578; 1898 (22) 804; 1972 (57) 2687.

SECTION 44-53-20."Food" and "drug" defined.

The term "food" as used in Section 44-53-10 shall include every article used for food or drink by man, including all candies, teas, coffees and spirituous, fermented and malt liquors. The term "drug" as used in Section 44-53-10 shall include all medicines for internal or external use.

HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 32-1452; 1952 Code Section 32-1452; 1942 Code Section 5127; 1932 Code Section 5127; Civ. C. '22 Section 3454; Civ. C. '12 Section 2393; Civ. C. '02 Section 1581; 1898 (22) 804.

SECTION 44-53-30.Persons selling certain articles to furnish samples for analysis.

Every person offering or exposing for sale or delivering to a purchaser any drug or article of food or spirituous, fermented or malt liquor included under the provisions of Section 44-53-10, shall furnish to any analyst, or other officer or agent appointed hereunder who shall apply to him for the purpose and shall tender to him the value of the same, a sample sufficient for the purpose of analysis of any such drug, article of food or drink which is in his possession.

HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 32-1453; 1952 Code Section 32-1453; 1942 Code Section 5126; 1932 Code Section 5126; Civ. C. '22 Section 3453; Civ. C. '12 Section 2392; Civ. C. '02 Section 1580; 1898 (22) 804.

SECTION 44-53-40.Obtaining certain drugs, devices, preparations, or compounds by fraud or deceit.

(A) It is unlawful for a person to obtain or attempt to obtain a drug or device as defined by Section 39-23-20, or any pharmaceutical preparation, chemical, or chemical compound that is restricted in regard to its sale at retail by:

(1) fraud, deceit, misrepresentation, or subterfuge;

(2) forgery or alteration of a prescription;

(3) falsification in any manner of any record of sale required by law;

(4) use of a false name or the giving of a false address;

(5) concealment of a material fact; or

(6) falsely assuming the title of or representing himself to be a person authorized by the laws of this State to possess such drugs, pharmaceutical preparations, chemicals, chemical compound, or devices.

(B) A person who violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be fined not more than five hundred dollars or imprisoned not more than two years, or both for a first offense. Conviction for a second or subsequent offense, is a felony and the person must be fined not more than two thousand dollars or imprisoned not more than five years, or both.

A person must not be convicted of a criminal offense under this section unless it is shown by clear and convincing evidence that the drug, pharmaceutical preparation, chemical, chemical compound, or device would not have been obtained but for the fraud, deceit, misrepresentation, subterfuge, forgery, alteration, falsification, concealment, or other prohibited act allegedly practiced by the accused.

HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 32-1453.2; 1973 (58) 768; 1976 Act No. 679, Section 1; 1993 Act No. 184, Section 73.

SECTION 44-53-50.Sale of household and commercial laundry detergent and dishwashing detergent containing phosphorus prohibited.

(A) Except as otherwise provided in this section, a person may use, sell, manufacture, or distribute for use or sale in this State no cleaning agent that contains more than zero percent phosphorus by weight expressed as elemental phosphorus except for an amount not exceeding five-tenths of one percent. For the purposes of this section, "cleaning agent" means a household or commercial laundry detergent, dishwashing compound, household cleaner, household or commercial dishwashing detergent, metal cleaner, industrial cleaner, phosphate compound, or other substance that is intended to be used for cleaning purposes.

(B) A person may use, sell, manufacture, or distribute for use or sale a cleaning agent that contains greater than zero percent phosphorus by weight but does not exceed eight and seven-tenths percent phosphorus by weight that is a substance excluded from the zero percent phosphorus limitation of this section by regulations adopted by the Department of Health and Environmental Control which are based on a finding that compliance with this section would:

(1) create a significant hardship on the user; or

(2) be unreasonable because of the lack of an adequate substitute cleaning agent.

(C) This section does not apply to a cleaning agent that is:

(1) used in dairy, beverage, or food processing equipment;

(2) used in hospitals, veterinary hospitals, clinics, or health care facilities or in agricultural or dairy production or in the manufacture of health care supplies;

(3) used by industry for metal, fabric, or fiber cleaning or conditioning;

(4) manufactured, stored, or distributed for use or sale outside of this State;

(5) used in a laboratory, including a biological laboratory, research facility, chemical laboratory, or engineering laboratory; or

(6) used as a water softening chemical, antiscale chemical, or corrosion inhibitor intended for use in closed systems such as boilers, air conditioners, cooling towers, or hot water heating systems.

(D) The Department of Health and Environmental Control shall promulgate regulations to administer and enforce the provisions of this section. A cleaning agent held for sale or distribution in violation of this section may be seized by appropriate administrative or law enforcement personnel. The seized cleaning agents are considered forfeited.

(E) A person who knowingly sells, manufactures, or distributes any cleaning agent in violation of the provisions of this section shall receive a written warning from the Department of Health and Environmental Control for the first violation. For a subsequent violation, the person is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be fined not more than five thousand dollars or imprisoned not more than one year. Each unlawful sale constitutes a separate violation.

(F) The provisions of this section may not restrict sale by a retailer of a household dishwashing detergent product from inventory existing and in stock at the retailer on July 1, 2012.

HISTORY: 1991 Act No. 108, Section 1; 1993 Act No. 63, Section 1; 2012 Act No. 120, Section 1, (subject to multiple effective dates, see editor's note).

Editor's Note

2012 Act No. 120, Section 2, provides as follows:

"The provisions of this act relating to household dishwashing detergent take effect July 1, 2012. The provisions of this act relating to commercial dishwashing and laundry detergent and industrial cleaners take effect on July 1, 2013. All other provisions of this act take effect July 1, 2014."



SECTION 44-53-110.Definitions.

As used in this article and Sections 44-49-10, 44-49-40, and 44-49-50:

(1) "Administer" means the direct application of a controlled substance, whether by injection, inhalation, ingestion, or any other means, to the body of a patient or research subject by:

(a) a practitioner (or, in his presence, by his authorized agent); or

(b) the patient or research subject at the direction and in the presence of the practitioner.

(2) "Agent" means an authorized person who acts on behalf of or at the direction of a manufacturer, distributor, or dispenser, except that this term does not include a common or contract carrier, public warehouseman, or employee of the carrier or warehouseman, when acting in the usual or lawful course of the carrier's or warehouseman's business.

(3) "Bureau" means the Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs, United States Department of Justice, or its successor agency.

(4) "Commission" means the South Carolina Department of Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Services.

(5) "Confidant" means a medical practitioner, a pharmacist, a pharmacologist, a psychologist, a psychiatrist, a full-time staff member of a college or university counseling bureau, a guidance counselor or a teacher in an elementary school or in a junior or senior high school, a full-time staff member of a hospital, a duly ordained and licensed member of the clergy, accredited Christian Science practitioner, or any professional or paraprofessional staff member of a drug treatment, education, rehabilitation, or referral center who has received a communication from a holder of the privilege.

(6) "Controlled substance" means a drug, substance, or immediate precursor in Schedules I through V in Sections 44-53-190, 44-53-210, 44-53-230, 44-53-250, and 44-53-270.

(7) "Controlled substance analogue" means a substance that is intended for human consumption and that either has a chemical structure substantially similar to that of a controlled substance in Schedules I, II, or III or has a stimulant, depressant, analgesic, or hallucinogenic effect on the central nervous system that is substantially similar to that of a controlled substance in Schedules I, II, or III. Controlled substance analogue does not include a controlled substance; any substance generally recognized as safe and effective within the meaning of the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act, 21 U.S.C. 301 et seq.; any substance for which there is an approved new drug application; or, with respect to a particular person, any substance if an exemption is in effect for investigational use for that person under Section 505 of the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act, 21 U.S.C. 355.

(8) "Counterfeit substance" means a controlled substance which, or the container or labeling of which, without authorization, bears the trademark, trade name, or other identifying mark, imprint, number, or device, or any likeness thereof, of a manufacturer, distributor, or dispenser other than the person who, in fact, manufactured, distributed, or dispensed such substance and which, thereby, falsely purports or is represented to be the product of, or to have been distributed by, such other manufacturer, distributor, or dispenser.

(9) "Cocaine base" means an alkaloidal cocaine or freebase form of cocaine, which is the end product of a chemical alteration whereby the cocaine in salt form is converted to a form suitable for smoking. Cocaine base is commonly referred to as "rock" or "crack cocaine".

(10) "Deliver" or "delivery" means the actual, constructive, or attempted transfer of a controlled drug or paraphernalia whether or not there exists an agency relationship.

(11) "Department" means the State Department of Health and Environmental Control.

(12) "Depressant or stimulant drug" means:

(a) a drug which contains any quantity of barbituric acid or any of the salts of barbituric acid, or any derivative of barbituric acid which has been designated as habit forming by the appropriate federal agency or by the department;

(b) a drug which contains any quantity of amphetamine or any of its optical isomers, any salt of amphetamine or any salt of any optical isomer of amphetamine, or any other substance which the appropriate federal agency or the department, after investigation, has found to be capable of being, and by regulation designated as, habit forming because of its stimulant effect on the central nervous system; or

(c) lysergic acid diethylamide or mescaline, or any other substance which the appropriate federal agency or the department, after investigation, has found to have, and by regulation designates as having a potential for abuse because of its stimulant or depressant effect on the central nervous system or its hallucinogenic effect.

(13) "Detoxification treatment" means the dispensing, for a period not in excess of twenty-one days, of a narcotic drug in decreasing doses to an individual in order to alleviate adverse physiological or psychological effects incident to withdrawal from the continuous or sustained use of a narcotic drug and as a method of bringing the individual to a narcotic drug-free state within this period.

(14) "Director" means the Director of the Department of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs under the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division.

(15) "Dispense" means to deliver a controlled substance to an ultimate user or research subject by or pursuant to the lawful order of a practitioner, including the prescribing, administering, packaging, labeling, or compounding necessary to prepare the substance for the delivery.

(16) "Dispenser" means a practitioner who delivers a controlled substance to the ultimate user or research subject.

(17) "Distribute" means to deliver (other than by administering or dispensing) a controlled substance.

(18) "Distributor" means a person who so delivers a controlled substance.

(19) "Drug" means a substance:

(a) recognized in the official United States Pharmacopoeia, official Homeopathic Pharmacopoeia of the United States, or official National Formulary, or any supplement to any of them;

(b) intended for use in the diagnosis, cure, mitigation, treatment, or prevention of disease in man and animals;

(c) other than food intended to affect the structure or any function of the body of man and animals; and

(d) intended for use as a component of any substance specified in subitem (a), (b), or (c) of this paragraph but does not include devices or their components, parts, or accessories.

(20) "Drug problem" means a mental or physical problem caused by the use or abuse of a controlled substance.

(21) "Holder of the privilege" means a person with an existing or a potential drug problem who seeks counseling, treatment, or therapy regarding such drug problem.

(22) "Imitation controlled substance" means a noncontrolled substance which is represented to be a controlled substance and is packaged in a manner normally used for the distribution or delivery of an illegal controlled substance.

(23) "Immediate precursor" means a substance which the appropriate federal agency or the department has found to be and by regulation has designated as being, or can be proven by expert testimony as being, the principal compound commonly used or produced primarily for use, and which is an immediate chemical intermediary used or likely to be used in the manufacture of a controlled substance, or is a reagent, solvent, or catalyst used in the manufacture of controlled substances, the control of which is necessary to prevent, curtail, or limit such manufacture.

(24) "Maintenance treatment" means the dispensing, for a period in excess of twenty-one days, of a narcotic drug in the treatment of an individual for dependence upon heroin or other morphine-like drugs.

(25) "Manufacture" means the production, preparation, propagation, compounding, conversion, or processing of a controlled substance, either directly or indirectly by extraction from substances of natural origin, or independently by means of chemical synthesis, or by a combination of extraction and chemical synthesis, and includes any packaging or repackaging of the substance or labeling or relabeling of its container, except that this term does not include the preparation or compounding of a controlled substance by an individual for his own use or the preparation, compounding, packaging, or labeling of a controlled substance:

(a) by a practitioner as an incident to his administering or dispensing of a controlled substance in the course of his professional practice; or

(b) by a practitioner, or by his authorized agent under his supervision, for the purpose of, or as an incident to, research, teaching, or chemical analysis and not for sale.

(26) "Manufacturer" means any person who packages, repackages, or labels any container of any controlled substance, except practitioners who dispense or compound prescription orders for delivery to the ultimate consumer.

(27)(a) "Marijuana" means:

(i) all species or variety of the marijuana plant and all parts thereof whether growing or not;

(ii) the seeds of the marijuana plant;

(iii) the resin extracted from any part of the marijuana plant; or

(iv) every compound, manufacture, salt, derivative, mixture, or preparation of the marijuana plant, marijuana seeds, or marijuana resin.

(b) "Marijuana" does not mean:

(i) the mature stalks of the marijuana plant or fibers produced from these stalks;

(ii) oil or cake made from the seeds of the marijuana plant, including cannabidiol derived from the seeds of the marijuana plant;

(iii) any other compound, manufacture, salt, derivatives, mixture, or preparation of the mature stalks (except the resin extracted therefrom), including cannabidiol derived from mature stalks;

(iv) the sterilized seed of the marijuana plant which is incapable of germination;

(v) for persons participating in a clinical trial or in an expanded access program related to administering cannabidiol for the treatment of severe forms of epilepsy pursuant to Article 18, Chapter 53, Title 44, a drug or substance approved for the use of those participants by the federal Food and Drug Administration; or

(vi) for persons, or the persons' parents, legal guardians, or other caretakers, who have received a written certification from a physician licensed in this State that the person has been diagnosed by a physician as having Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome, Dravet Syndrome, also known as "severe myoclonic epilepsy of infancy", or any other severe form of epilepsy that is not adequately treated by traditional medical therapies, the substance cannabidiol, a nonpsychoactive cannabinoid, or any compound, manufacture, salt, derivative, mixture, or preparation of any plant of the genus cannabis that contains nine-tenths of one percent or less of tetrahydrocannabinol and more than fifteen percent of cannabidiol.

(c) For purposes of this item, written certification means a document dated and signed by a physician stating that the patient has been diagnosed with Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome, Dravet Syndrome, also known as "severe myoclonic epilepsy of infancy", or any other severe form of epilepsy that is not adequately treated by traditional medical therapies and the physician's conclusion that the patient might benefit from the medical use of cannabidiol.

(d) A physician is not subject to detrimental action, including arrest, prosecution, penalty, denial of a right or privilege, civil penalty, or disciplinary action by a professional licensing board for providing written certification for the medical use of cannabidiol to a patient in accordance with this section.

(28) "Methamphetamine" includes any salt, isomer, or salt of an isomer, or any mixture or compound containing amphetamine or methamphetamine. Methamphetamine is commonly referred to as "crank", "ice", or "crystal meth".

(29) "Narcotic drug" means any of the following, whether produced directly or indirectly by extraction from substances of vegetable origin, or independently by means of chemical synthesis, or by a combination of extraction and chemical synthesis:

(a) opium, coca leaves, and opiates;

(b) a compound, manufacture, salt, derivative or preparation of opium, coca leaves, or opiates;

(c) a substance (and any compound, manufacture, salt, derivative, or preparation thereof) which is chemically identical with any of the substances referred to in subitem (a) or (b). This term does not include decocainized coca leaves or extracts of coca leaves, which extracts do not contain cocaine or ecgonine.

(30) "Noncontrolled substance" means any substance of chemical or natural origin which is not included in the schedules of controlled substances set forth in this article or included in the federal schedules of controlled substances set forth in Title 21, Section 812 of the United States Code or in Title 21, Part 1308 of the Code of Federal Regulations.

(31) "Opiate" means any substance having an addiction-forming or addiction-sustaining liability similar to morphine or being capable of conversion into a drug having addiction-forming or addiction-sustaining liability. It does not include, unless specifically designated as controlled under this article, the dextrorotatory isomer of 3-methoxy-n-methylmorphinan and its salts (dextromethorphan). It does include racemic and levorotatory forms.

(32) "Opium poppy" means the plant of the species Papaver somniferum L., except the seed thereof.

(33) "Paraphernalia" means any instrument, device, article, or contrivance used, designed for use, or intended for use in ingesting, smoking, administering, manufacturing, or preparing a controlled substance and does not include cigarette papers and tobacco pipes but includes, but is not limited to:

(a) metal, wooden, acrylic, glass, stone, plastic, or ceramic marijuana or hashish pipes with or without screens, permanent screens, hashish heads, or punctured metal bowls;

(b) water pipes designed for use or intended for use with marijuana, hashish, hashish oil, or cocaine;

(c) carburetion tubes and devices;

(d) smoking and carburetion masks;

(e) roach clips;

(f) separation gins designed for use or intended for use in cleaning marijuana;

(g) cocaine spoons and vials;

(h) chamber pipes;

(i) carburetor pipes;

(j) electric pipes;

(k) air-driven pipes;

(l) chilams;

(m) bongs;

(n) ice pipes or chillers.

(34) "Peyote" means all parts of the plant presently classified botanically as Lophophora Williamsii Lemaire, whether growing or not; the seeds thereof; any extract from any part of such plant; and every compound, manufacture, salt, derivative, mixture, or preparation of such plant, its seeds, or extracts.

(35) "Poppy straw" means all parts, except the seeds, of the opium poppy, after mowing.

(36) "Practitioner" means:

(a) a physician, dentist, veterinarian, podiatrist, scientific investigator, or other person licensed, registered, or otherwise permitted to distribute, dispense, conduct research with respect to, or to administer a controlled substance in the course of professional practice or research in this State;

(b) a pharmacy, hospital, or other institution licensed, registered, or otherwise permitted to distribute, dispense, conduct research with respect to, or to administer a controlled substance in the course of professional practice or research in this State.

(37) "Production" includes the manufacture, planting, cultivation, growing, or harvesting of a controlled substance.

(38) "Ultimate user" means a person who lawfully possesses a controlled substance for his own use or for the use of a member of his household or for administration to an animal owned by him or a member of his household.

HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 32-1510.27; 1971 (57) 800; 1972 (57) 2621; 1973 (58) 289; 1974 (58) 2284, 2855; 1975 (59) 104; 1976 Act No. 672, Section 1; 1980 Act No. 361, Section 1; 1982 Act No. 400, Section 1; 1982 Act No. 427, Section 1; 1987 Act No. 128 Section 2; 1990 Act No. 604, Section 5; 2000 Act No. 355, Section 2; 2005 Act No. 127, Section 2, eff June 7, 2005; 2014 Act No. 221 (S.1035), Section 1, eff June 2, 2014.

SECTION 44-53-120.Duties of State Law Enforcement Division.

The State Law Enforcement Division shall:

(1) Cooperate with Federal and other State agencies in discharging its responsibilities concerning traffic in narcotics and controlled substances and in suppressing the abuse of dangerous substances;

(2) Coordinate and cooperate in training programs on controlled substances law enforcement at the local and State levels;

(3) Cooperate with the Federal Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs by establishing a centralized unit within the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division which shall accept, catalogue, file and collect statistics, including records of drug dependent persons and other controlled substance law offenders within the State, and make such information available for Federal, State, and local law-enforcement purposes; and collect and furnish statistics for other appropriate purposes;

(4) Coordinate and cooperate in programs of eradication aimed at destroying wild or illicit growth of plant species from which controlled substances may be extracted.

(5) promulgate regulations to provide uniform procedures for the seizure, inventory, reporting, auditing, handling, testing, storage, preservation for evidentiary use, and destruction or other lawful disposition of controlled substances.

HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 32-1510.23; 1971 (57) 800; 1992 Act No. 387, Section 1.

SECTION 44-53-130.Coordination of law enforcement.

The State Law Enforcement Division shall formulate a plan to coordinate the controlled substance enforcement effort from the local to the State level.

HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 32-1510.24; 1971 (57) 800.

SECTION 44-53-140.Certain communications and observations privileged.

Whenever a holder of the privilege shall seek counselling, treatment, or therapy for any drug problem from a confidant, no statement made by such holder and no observation or conclusion derived from such confidant shall be admissible against such holder in any proceeding. The results of any examination to determine the existence of illegal or prohibited drugs in a holder's body shall not be admissible in any proceeding against such holder.

The privilege belongs to the holder and if he waives the right to claim the privilege the communication between the holder of the privilege and the confidant shall be admissible in evidence in any proceeding.

There is no privilege if the services of a confidant are sought to enable the holder of the privilege to commit or plan to commit a crime or a tort.

HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 32-1510.25; 1971 (57) 800; 1973 (58) 289.

SECTION 44-53-160.Manner in which changes in schedule of controlled substances made.

(A)(1) Annually, within thirty days after the convening of each regular session of the General Assembly, the department shall recommend to the General Assembly any additions, deletions, or revisions in the schedules of controlled substances enumerated in Sections 44-53-190, 44-53-210, 44-53-230, 44-53-250, and 44-53-270 which the department deems necessary. Except as otherwise provided in this section, the department shall not make any additions, deletions, or revisions in the schedules until after notice and an opportunity for a hearing is afforded to all interested parties. In making a recommendation to the General Assembly regarding a substance, the department shall consider the following:

(a) the actual or relative potential for abuse;

(b) the scientific evidence of the substance's pharmacological effect, if known;

(c) the state of current scientific knowledge regarding the substance;

(d) the history and current pattern of abuse;

(e) the scope, duration, and significance of abuse;

(f) the risk to public health;

(g) the potential of the substance to produce psychic or physiological dependence liability;

(h) whether the substance is an immediate precursor of a substance already controlled pursuant to this chapter; and

(i) whether the substance has an accepted or recognized medical use.

(2) After considering the factors listed in subsection (A)(1), the department shall make a recommendation to the General Assembly specifying to what schedule the substance should be added, deleted, or rescheduled, if the department finds that the substance has a potential for abuse.

(B) Except as otherwise provided in this section, during the time the General Assembly is not in session, the department may add, delete, or reschedule a substance as a controlled substance after providing notice and a hearing to all interested parties. The addition, deletion, or rescheduling of a substance pursuant to this subsection has the full force of law unless overturned by the General Assembly. Upon the addition, deletion, or rescheduling of a substance, the department shall forward copies of the change to the Chairmen of the Medical Affairs Committee and the Judiciary Committee of the Senate, the Medical, Military, Public and Municipal Affairs Committee, and the Judiciary Committee of the House of Representatives, the Clerks of the Senate and House, and the Code Commissioner, and shall post the schedules on the department's website indicating the change and specifying the effective date of the change.

(C) If a substance is added, deleted, or rescheduled as a controlled substance pursuant to federal law or regulation, the department shall, at the first regular or special meeting of the South Carolina Board of Health and Environmental Control within thirty days after publication in the federal register of the final order designating the substance as a controlled substance or rescheduling or deleting the substance, add, delete, or reschedule the substance in the appropriate schedule. The addition, deletion, or rescheduling of a substance by the department pursuant to this subsection has the full force of law unless overturned by the General Assembly. The addition, deletion, or rescheduling of a substance by the department pursuant to this subsection must be in substance identical with the order published in the federal register effecting the change in federal status of the substance. Upon the addition, deletion, or rescheduling of a substance, the department shall forward copies of the change to the Chairmen of the Medical Affairs Committee and the Judiciary Committee of the Senate, the Chairman of the Medical, Military, Public and Municipal Affairs Committee, the Chairman of the Judiciary Committee of the House of Representatives, the Clerks of the Senate and House, and the Code Commissioner, and shall post the schedules on the department's website indicating the change and specifying the effective date of the change.

(D) The department shall exclude any nonnarcotic substance from a schedule if the substance may, under the federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act and the laws of this State, be lawfully sold over the counter without a prescription.

(E) The department's addition, deletion, or rescheduling of a substance as a controlled substance is governed by this section and is not subject to the promulgation requirements of Chapter 23, Title 1.

HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 32-1510.28; 1971 (57) 800; 1974 (58) 2228; 2010 Act No. 273, Section 36, eff June 2, 2010; 2012 Act No. 140, Section 1, eff April 2, 2012; 2018 Act No. 166 (H.3822), Section 1, eff May 3, 2018; 2018 Act No. 216 (H.4487), Section 1, eff May 18, 2018.

Code Commissioner's Note

At the direction of the Code Commissioner, the amendments to (B) and (C) made by 2018 Act No. 166 and 2018 Act No. 216 were read together.

Editor's Note

Section 44-53-160(B) authorizes the Department of Health and Environmental Control to add, delete, or reschedule a substance as a controlled substance when the General Assembly is not in session, and Section 44-53-160(C) requires the department to make such changes to conform to federal law. For a complete and accurate list of controlled substance schedules, please visit the department's website at http://www.scdhec.gov/Health/FHPF/DrugControlRegisterVerify/ControlledSubstanceSchedule/

Effect of Amendment

2018 Act No. 166, Section 1, in (B), in the third sentence, substituted "the Clerks of the Senate and House, and the Code Commissioner," for "and to the Clerks of the Senate and House,"; and in (C), in the fourth sentence, substituted "the Clerks of the Senate and House, and the Code Commissioner," for "and to the Clerks of the Senate and House,".

2018 Act No. 216, Section 1, in (C), in the fourth sentence, inserted "Chairman of the" in two places and made a nonsubstantive change; and in (E), substituted "Chapter 23, Title 1" for "Title 1, Chapter 23".

SECTION 44-53-170.Nomenclature of controlled substances in schedules.

The controlled substances listed, or to be listed, in the schedules in Sections 44-53-190, 44-53-210, 44-53-230, 44-53-250 and 44-53-270 are included by whatever official, chemical or trade name designated as well as the common or usual name designated.

HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 32-1510.29; 1971 (57) 800.

SECTION 44-53-180.Tests for inclusion of substance in Schedule I.

The Department shall place a substance in Schedule I if it finds that the substance has:

(a) A high potential for abuse;

(b) No accepted medical use in treatment in the United States; and

(c) A lack of accepted safety for use in treatment under medical supervision.

HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 32-1510.30; 1971 (57) 800.

SECTION 44-53-190.Schedule I.

(A) The controlled substances listed in this section are included in Schedule I.

(B) Any of the following opiates, including their isomers, esters, ethers, salts, and salts of isomers, esters, and ethers, unless specifically excepted, whenever the existence of such isomers, esters, ethers, and salts is possible within the specific chemical designation:

1. Acetylmethadol

2. Allylprodine

3. Alphacetylmethadol

4. Alphameprodine

5. Alphamethadol

6. Benzethidine

7. Betacetylmethadol

8. Betameprodine

9. Betamethadol

10. Betaprodine

11. Clonitazene

12. Dextromoramide

13. [Deleted]

14. Diampromide

15. Diethylthiambutene

16. Dimenoxadol

17. Dimepheptanol

18. Dimethylthiambutene

19. Dioxaphetyl butyrate

20. Dipipanone

21. Ethylmethylthiambutene

22. Etonitazene

23. Etoxeridine

24. Furethidine

25. Hydroxypethidine

26. Ketobemidone

27. Levomoramide

28. Levophenacylmorphan

29. Morpheridine

30. Noracymethadol

31. Norlevorphanol

32. Normethadone

33. Norpipanone

34. Phenadoxone

35. Phenampromide

36. Phenomorphan

37. Phenoperidine

38. Piritramide

39. Proheptazine

40. Properidine

41. Racemoramide

42. Trimeperidine

43. Propiram

44. Difenoxin

45. Alfentanyl

46. Tilidine

47. Alphamethylfentanyl (N-[1-(alpha-methyl-beta-phenyl) ethyl-4-piperidyl] propionanilide; 1-(1-methyl-2-phenylethyl-4-(N-pro-panilido) piperidine).

48. Fentanyl-related substances. Unless specifically excepted, listed in another schedule, or contained within a pharmaceutical product approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration, any material, compound, mixture, or preparation, including its salts, isomers, esters, or ethers, and salts of isomers, esters, or ethers, that is structurally related to fentanyl by one or more of the following modifications:

(a) replacement of the phenyl portion of the phenethyl group by any monocycle, whether or not further substituted in or on the monocycle;

(b) substitution in or on the phenethyl group with alkyl, alkenyl, alkoxyl, hydroxyl, halo, haloalkyl, amino or nitro groups;

(c) substitution in or on the piperidine ring with alkyl, alkenyl, alkoxyl, ester, ether, hydroxyl, halo, haloalkyl, amino or nitro groups;

(d) replacement of the aniline ring with any aromatic monocycle whether or not further substituted in or on the aromatic monocycle; or

(e) replacement of the N propionyl group by another acyl group or hydrogen.

This definition includes, but is not limited to, the following substances: Methylacetyl fentanyl, Alpha methylfentanyl, Methylthiofentanyl, Benzylfentanyl, Beta hydroxyfentanyl, Beta hydroxy 3 methylfentanyl, 3 Methylfentanyl, Methylthiofentanyl, Fluorofentanyl, Thenylfentanyl or Thienyl fentanyl, Thiofentanyl, Acetylfentanyl, Butyrylfentanyl, Beta Hydroxythiofentanyl, Lofentanil, Ocfentanil, Ohmfentanyl, Benzodioxolefentanyl, Furanyl fentanyl, Pentanoyl fentanyl, Cyclopentyl fentanyl, Isobutyryl fentanyl, Remifentanil, Crotonyl fentanyl, Cyclopropyl fentanyl, Valeryl fentanyl, Fluorobutyryl fentanyl, Fluoroisobutyryl fentanyl, Methoxybutyryl fentanyl, Isobutyryl fentanyl, Chloroisobutyryl fentanyl, Acryl fentanyl, Tetrahydrofuran fentanyl, Methoxyacetyl fentanyl, Fluorocrotonyl fentanyl, Cyclopentenyl fentanyl, Phenyl fentanyl, Cyclobutyl fentanyl, Methylcyclopropyl fentanyl.

(C) Any of the following opium derivatives, their salts, isomers, and salts of isomers, unless specifically excepted, whenever the existence of such salts, isomers, and salts of isomers is possible within the specific chemical designation:

1. Acetorphine

2. Acetyldihydrocodeine

3. Benzylmorphine

4. Codeine methylbromide

5. Codeine-N-Oxide

6. Cyprenorphine

7. Desomorphine

8. Dihydromorphine

9. Etorphine

10. Heroin

11. Hydromorphinol

12. Methyldesorphine

13. Methylhydromorphine

14. Morphine methylbromide

15. Morphine methylsulfonate

16. Morphine-N-Oxide

17. Myrophine

18. Nicocodeine

19. Nicomorphine

20. Normorphine

21. Pholcodine

22. Thebacon

23. Drotebanol

(D) Any material, compound, mixture, or preparation which contains any quantity of the following hallucinogenic substances, their salts, isomers, and salts of isomers, unless specifically excepted, whenever the existence of such salts, isomers, and salts of isomers is possible within the specific chemical designation:

1. 3,4-methylenedioxy amphetamine

2. 5-methoxy-3,4-methylenedioxy amphetamine

3. 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA)

4. 3,4,5-trimethoxy amphetamine

5. Bufotenine

6. Diethyltryptamine (DET)

7. Dimethyltryptamine (DMT)

8. 4-methyl-2,5-dimethoxyamphetamine (STP)

9. Ibogaine

10. Lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD)

11. Marijuana

12. Mescaline

13. Peyote

14. N-ethyl-3-piperidyl benzilate

15. N-methyl-3-piperidyl benzilate

16. Psilocybin

17. Psilocyn

18. Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)

19. 2,5-dimethoxyamphetamine

20. 4-bromo-2,5-dimethoxyamphetamine

21. 4-Methoxyamphetamine

22. Thiophene analog of phencyclidine

23. Parahexyl

24. Synthetic cannabinoids.-Any material, compound, mixture, or preparation that is not listed as a controlled substance in Schedule I through V, is not an FDA-approved drug, and contains any quantity of the following substances, their salts, isomers (whether optical, positional, or geometric), homologues, and salts of isomers and homologues, unless specifically excepted, whenever the existence of these salts, isomers, homologues, and salts of isomers and homologues is possible within the specific chemical designation:

a. Naphthoylindoles. Any compound containing a 3-(1-naphthoyl)indole structure with substitution at the nitrogen atom of the indole ring by an alkyl, haloalkyl, alkenyl, cycloalkylmethyl, cycloalkylethyl, 1-(N-methyl-2-piperidinyl)methyl, or 2-(4-morpholinyl)ethyl group, whether or not further substituted in the indole ring to any extent and whether or not substituted in the naphthyl ring to any extent. Including, but not limited to, JWH-015, JWH-018, JWH-019, JWH-073, JWH-081, JWH-122, JWH-200, JWH-210, JWH-398, AM-2201, WIN 55-212, AM-2201 (C1 analog), AM-1220.

b. Naphthylmethylindoles. Any compound containing a 1H-indol-3-yl-(1-naphthyl)methane structure with substitution at the nitrogen atom of the indole ring by an alkyl, haloalkyl, alkenyl, cycloalkylmethyl, cycloalkylethyl, 1-(N-methyl-2-piperidinyl)methyl, or 2-(4-morpholinyl)ethyl group, whether or not further substituted in the indole ring to any extent and whether or not substituted in the naphthyl ring to any extent.

c. Naphthoylpyrroles. Any compound containing a 3-(1-naphthoyl)pyrrole structure with substitution at the nitrogen atom of the pyrrole ring by an alkyl, haloalkyl, alkenyl, cycloalkylmethyl, cycloalkylethyl, 1-(N-methyl-2-piperidinyl)methyl, or 2-(4-morpholinyl)ethyl group, whether or not further substituted in the pyrrole ring to any extent and whether or not substituted in the naphthyl ring to any extent. Including, but not limited to, JWH-307, JWH-370, JWH-176.

d. Naphthylmethylindenes. Any compound containing a naphthylideneindene structure with substitution at the 3-position of the indene ring by an alkyl, haloalkyl, alkenyl, cycloalkylmethyl, cycloalkylethyl, 1-(N-methyl-2-piperidinyl)methyl, or 2-(4-morpholinyl)ethyl group, whether or not further substituted in the indene ring to any extent and whether or not substituted in the naphthyl ring to any extent.

e. Phenylacetylindoles. Any compound containing a 3-phenylacetylindole structure with substitution at the nitrogen atom of the indole ring by an alkyl, haloalkyl, alkenyl, cycloalkylmethyl, cycloalkylethyl, 1-(N-methyl-2-piperidinyl)methyl, or 2-(4-morpholinyl)ethyl group, whether or not further substituted in the indole ring to any extent and whether or not substituted in the phenyl ring to any extent. Including, but not limited to, SR-18, RCS-8, JWH-203, JWH-250, JWH-251.

f. Cyclohexylphenols. Any compound containing a 2-(3-hydroxycyclohexyl)phenol structure with substitution at the 5-position of the phenolic ring by an alkyl, haloalkyl, alkenyl, cycloalkylmethyl, cycloalkylethyl, 1-(N-methyl-2-piperidinyl)methyl, or 2-(4-morpholinyl)ethyl group, whether or not substituted in the cyclohexyl ring to any extent. Including, but not limited to, CP 47,497 (and homologues), cannabicyclohexanol, CP-55, 940.

g. Benzoylindoles. Any compound containing a 3-(benzoyl)indole structure with substitution at the nitrogen atom of the indole ring by an alkyl, haloalkyl, alkenyl, cycloalkylmethyl, cycloalkylethyl, 1-(N-methyl-2-piperidinyl)methyl, or 2-(4-morpholinyl)ethyl group, whether or not further substituted in the indole ring to any extent and whether or not substituted in the phenyl ring to any extent. Including, but not limited to, AM-694, Pravadoline (WIN 48,098), RCS-4, AM-630, AM-1241, AM-2233.

h. 2,3-Dihydro-5-methyl-3-(4-morpholinylmethyl)pyrrolo [1,2,3-de]-1, 4-benzoxazin-6-yl]-1-napthalenylmethanone (WIN 55,212-2).

i. 9-(hydroxymethyl)-6,6-dimethy l-3-(2-methyloctan-2-yl)-6a,7,10,10a-tetrahydrobenzo[c]chromen-1-ol 7370 (HU-210, HU-211).

j. Adamantoylindoles. Any compound containing a 3-(1-adamantoyl)indole structure with substitution at the nitrogen atom of the indole ring by a alkyl, haloalkyl, alkenyl, cycloalkylmethyl, cycloalkylethyl, 1-(N-methyl-2-piperidinyl)methyl or 2-(4-morpholinyl)ethyl group, whether or not further substituted in the indole ring to any extent and whether or not substituted in the adamantyl ring system to any extent.

(E) Depressants. Unless specifically excepted or unless listed in another schedule, any material, compound, mixture, or preparation which contains any quantity of the following substance having a depressant effect on the central nervous system, including its salts, isomers, and salts of isomers if possible within the specific chemical designation:

(1) Mecloqualone;

(2) Methaqualone; or

(3) Gamma Hydroxybutyric Acid.

(F) Stimulants. Unless specifically excepted or unless listed in another schedule, any material, compound, mixture, or preparation which contains any quantity of the following substances having a stimulant effect on the central nervous system, including its salts, isomers, and salts of isomers:

(1) Fenethylline;

(2) N-ethylamphetamine;

(3) Cathinone; or

(4) Substituted Cathinones.

Any compound (not being bupropion) structurally derived from 2-amino-1-phenyl-1-propanone by modification in any of the following ways:

(a) by substitution in the phenyl ring to any extent with alkyl, alkoxy, alkylenedioxy, haloalkyl or halide substituents, whether or not further substituted in the phenyl ring by one or more other univalent substituents;

(b) by substitution at the 3-position with an alkyl substituent;

(c) by substitution at the nitrogen atom with alkyl or dialkyl groups, benzyl or methoxybenzyl groups; or

(d) by inclusion of the nitrogen atom in a cyclic structure.

Including, but not limited to: Methylone, Mephedrone, 3,4-Methylenedioxypyrovalerone (MDPV), Butylone, Methedrone, 4-Methylethcathinone, Flephedrone, Pentylone, Pentedrone, Buphedrone.

HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 32-1510.31; 1971 (57) 800; 1974 (58) 2228; 1976 Act No. 672 Sections 2-4; 1978 Act No. 452 Section 1; 1981 Act No. 72, Section 1; 1982 Act No. 423 Sections 1, 2; 1985 Act No. 59 Sections 1-3; 2000 Act No. 355, Section 3; 2002 Act No. 267, Section 1, eff May 20, 2002; 2012 Act No. 140, Section 2, eff April 2, 2012; 2023 Act No. 72 (H.3503), Section 1, eff June 15, 2023.

Editor's Note

Section 44-53-160(B) authorizes the Department of Health and Environmental Control to add, delete, or reschedule a substance as a controlled substance when the General Assembly is not in session, and Section 44-53-160(C) requires the department to make such changes to conform to federal law. For a complete and accurate list of controlled substance schedules, please visit the department's website at http://www.scdhec.gov/Health/FHPF/DrugControlRegisterVerify/ControlledSubstanceSchedule/

Effect of Amendment

2023 Act No. 72, Section 1, in (B), added (48).

SECTION 44-53-200.Tests for inclusion of substance in Schedule II.

The Department shall place a substance in Schedule II if it finds that:

(a) It has a high potential for abuse;

(b) It has a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States, or currently accepted medical use with severe restrictions; and

(c) Abuse may lead to severe psychic or physical dependence.

HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 32-1510.32; 1971 (57) 800.

SECTION 44-53-210.Schedule II.

(a) The controlled substances listed in this section are included in Schedule II.

(b) Any of the following substances except those narcotic drugs listed in other schedules whether produced directly or indirectly by extraction from substances of vegetable origin, or independently by means of chemical synthesis, or by combination of extraction and chemical synthesis:

(1) Opium and opiate, and any salt, compound, derivative, or preparation of opium or opiate, excluding Apomorphine, Nalbuphine, Naloxone, and Naltrexone, and their respective salts;

(2) Any salt, compound, isomer, derivative, or preparation thereof which is chemically equivalent or identical with any of the substances referred to in paragraph (1), but not including the isoquinoline alkaloids of opium;

(3) Opium poppy and poppy straw;

(4) Coca leaves and any salt, compound, derivative, or preparation of coca leaves, and any salt, compound, derivative, or preparation thereof which is chemically equivalent or identical with any of these substances, but not including decocainized coca leaves or extractions which do not contain cocaine or ecgonine.

(c) Any of the following opiates, including their isomers, esters, ethers, salts, and salts of isomers, esters and ethers, unless specifically excepted, whenever the existence of such isomers, esters, ethers, and salts is possible within the specific chemical designation:

1. Alphaprodine

2. Anileridine

3. Bezitramide

4. Dihydrocodeine

5. Diphenoxylate

6. Fentanyl

7. Isomethadone

8. Levomethorphan

9. Levorphanol

10. Metazocine

11. Methadone

12. Methadone - Intermediate, 4-cyano-2-dimethylamino-4, 4-diphenyl butane

13. Moramide - Intermediate, 2-methyl-3-morpholino-1, 1-diphenylpropane-carboxylic acid

14. Pentazocine (to be administered by injection only)

15. Pethidine (meperidine).

16. Pethidine - Intermediate-A, 4-cyano-1-methyl-4-phenyl-piperidine

17. Pethidine - Intermediate-B, ethyl-4-phenylpiperidine-4-carboxylate

18. Pethidine - Intermediate-C, 1-methyl-4-phenylpiperidine-4-carboxylic acid

19. Phenazocine

20. Piminodine

21. Racemethorphan

22. Racemorphan

23. Dextropropoxyphene [alpha-(+)-4-dimethylamino-1, 2-diphenyl-3-methyl-2-propionoxybutane], in bulk form.

24. Sufentanil

(d) Unless specifically excepted or unless listed in another schedule, any material, compound, mixture, or preparation which contains any quantity of the following substances having a stimulant effect on the central nervous system:

1. Amphetamine, its salts, optical isomers, and salts of its optical isomers.

2. Methamphetamine, its salts, and salts of isomers.

3. Phenmetrazine and its salts.

4. Methylphenidate.

(e) [Deleted]

(f) Unless specifically excepted or unless listed in another schedule, any material, compound, mixture, or preparation which contains any quantity of the following substances having a depressant effect on the central nervous system:

1. Amobarbital

2. Secobarbital

3. Pentobarbital

4. Phencyclidine

5. Phencyclidine immediate precursors:

(a) 1-phenylcyclohexylamine

(b) 1-piperidinocyclohexanecarbonitrile (PCC).

(g) Unless specifically excepted or unless listed in another schedule, any material, compound, mixture, or preparation which contains any quantity of the following substance:

(1) Immediate precursor to amphetamine and methamphetamine:

(i) Phenylacetone, also known as phenyl-2-propanone; P2P; benzyl methyl ketone; methyl benzyl ketone.

HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 32-1510.33; 1971 (57) 800; 1973 (58) 349; 1974 (58) 2228, 2284; 1976 Act No. 672 Section 5; 1978 Act No. 452 Section 2; 1979 Act No. 118 Section 1; 1980 Act No. 388, Section 1; 1981 Act No. 72, Section 2; 1982 Act No. 423, Section 3; 1985 Act No. 59 Sections 4, 5; 1994 Act No. 456, Section 1.

Editor's Note

Section 44-53-160(B) authorizes the Department of Health and Environmental Control to add, delete, or reschedule a substance as a controlled substance when the General Assembly is not in session, and Section 44-53-160(C) requires the department to make such changes to conform to federal law. For a complete and accurate list of controlled substance schedules, please visit the department's website at http://www.scdhec.gov/Health/FHPF/DrugControlRegisterVerify/ControlledSubstanceSchedule/

SECTION 44-53-220.Tests for inclusion of substance in Schedule III.

The Department shall place a substance in Schedule III if it finds that:

(a) It has a potential for abuse less than the substances listed in Schedules I and II;

(b) It has a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States; and

(c) Abuse of the substance may lead to moderate or low physical dependence or high psychological dependence.

HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 32-1510.34; 1971 (57) 800.

SECTION 44-53-230.Schedule III.

(a) The controlled substances listed in this section are included in Schedule III.

(b) Any material, compound, mixture or preparation which contains any quantity of the following substances having a stimulant effect on the central nervous system:

1. Benzphetamine

2. Chlorphentermine

3. Clortermine

4. (Deleted)

5. Phendimetrazine

(c) Unless specifically excepted or unless listed in another schedule, any material, compound, mixture, or preparation which contains any quantity of the following substances having a depressant effect on the central nervous system:

1. any compound, mixture, or preparation containing amobarbital, secobarbital, pentobarbital or any salt thereof and one or more other active ingredients which are not listed in any schedule;

2. any suppository dosage form containing amobarbital, secobarbital, pentobarbital, or any salt of any of these drugs and approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration for marketing only as a suppository;

3. any substance which contains any quantity of a derivative or barbituric acid or any salt thereof;

4. Chlorhexadol;

5. Gamma Hydroxybutyric Acid, and its salts, isomers, and salts of isomers contained in a drug product for which an application has been approved under Section 505 of the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act;

6. Glutehimide;

7. Lysergic Acid;

8. Lysergic Acid Amide;

9. Methyprylon;

10. Sulfondiethylmethane;

11. Sulfonethylmethane;

12. Sulfonmethane;

13. Xylazine.

(d) Nalorphene

(e) Any material, compound, mixture, or preparation containing limited quantities of any of the following narcotic drugs, or any salts thereof:

1. Not more than 1.8 grams of codeine per 100 milliliters or not more than 90 milligrams per dosage unit, with an equal or greater quantity of an isoquinoline alkaloid of opium.

2. Not more than 1.8 grams of codeine per 100 milliliters or not more than 90 milligrams per dosage unit, with one or more active, non-narcotic ingredients in recognized therapeutic amounts.

3. Not more than 300 milligrams of dihydrocodeinone per 100 milliliters or not more than 15 milligrams per dosage unit, with a four-fold or greater quantity of an isoquinoline alkaloid of opium.

4. Not more than 300 milligrams of dihydrocodeinone per 100 milliliters or not more than 15 milligrams per dosage unit, with one or more active, non-narcotic ingredients in recognized therapeutic amounts.

5. Not more than 1.8 grams of dihydrocodeine per 100 milliliters or not more than 90 milligrams per dosage unit, with one or more active, non-narcotic ingredients in recognized therapeutic amounts.

6. Not more than 300 milligrams of ethylmorphine per 100 milliliters or not more than 15 milligrams per dosage unit, with one or more active, non-narcotic ingredients in recognized therapeutic amounts.

7. Not more than 500 milligrams of opium per 100 milliliters or per 100 grams, or not more than 25 milligrams per dosage unit, with one or more active, non-narcotic ingredients in recognized therapeutic amounts.

8. Not more than 50 milligrams of morphine per 100 milliliters or per 100 grams with one or more active, non-narcotic ingredients in recognized therapeutic amounts.

HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 32-1510.35; 1971 (57) 800; 1974 (58) 2228, 2284; 1975 (59) 104; 1979 Act No. 118, Section 2; 1982 Act No. 423, Section 4; 2000 Act No. 355, Section 4; 2024 Act No. 177 (H.4617), Section 1, eff May 20, 2024.

Editor's Note

Section 44-53-160(B) authorizes the Department of Health and Environmental Control to add, delete, or reschedule a substance as a controlled substance when the General Assembly is not in session, and Section 44-53-160(C) requires the department to make such changes to conform to federal law. For a complete and accurate list of controlled substance schedules, please visit the department's website at http://www.scdhec.gov/Health/FHPF/DrugControlRegisterVerify/ControlledSubstanceSchedule/

Effect of Amendment

2024 Act No. 177, Section 1, in (c), added 13.

SECTION 44-53-240.Tests for inclusion of substance in Schedule IV.

The Department shall place a substance in Schedule IV if it finds that:

(a) It has a low potential for abuse relative to the substances in Schedule III;

(b) It has a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States; and

(c) Abuse of the substance may lead to limited physical or psychological dependence relative to substances in Schedule III.

HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 32-1510.36; 1971 (57) 800.

SECTION 44-53-250.Schedule IV.

The controlled substances in this section are included in Schedule IV.

(a) Depressants. Unless specifically excepted or unless listed in another schedule, any material, compound, mixture, or preparation which contains any quantity of the following substances having a depressant effect on the central nervous system, including its salts, isomers (whether position, geometric, or optical), and salts of such isomers whenever the existence of such salts, isomers, and salts of isomers is possible within the specific chemical designation:

(1) Alprazolam

(2) Barbital

(3) Bromazepam

(4) Camazepam

(5) Chloral Betaine

(6) Chloral Hydrate

(7) Chlordiazepoxide

(8) Clobazam

(9) Clonazepam

(10) Clorazepate

(11) Clotiazepam

(12) Cloxazolam

(13) Delorazepam

(14) Diazepam

(15) Estazolam

(16) Ethchlorvynol

(17) Ethinamate

(18) Ethyl Loflazepate

(19) Fludiazepam

(20) Flunitrazepam

(21) Flurazepam

(22) Halazepam

(23) Haloxazolam

(24) Ketazolam

(25) Loprazolam

(26) Lorazepam

(27) Lormetazepam

(28) Mebutamate

(29) Medazepam

(30) Meprobamate

(31) Methohexital

(32) Methylphenobarbital

(33) Nimetazepam

(34) Nitrazepam

(35) Nordiazepam

(36) Oxazepam

(37) Oxazolam

(38) Paraldehyde

(39) Petrichloral

(40) Phenobarbital

(41) Pinazepam

(42) Prazepam

(43) Temazepam

(44) Tetrazepam

(45) Triazolam.

(b) Stimulants. Unless specifically excepted or unless listed in another schedule, any material, compound, mixture, or preparation which contains any quantity of the following substances having a stimulant effect on the central nervous system, including its salts, isomers (whether position, geometric, or optical), and salts of such isomers whenever the existence of such salts, isomers, and salts of isomers is possible within the specific chemical designation:

(1) Diethylpropion

(2) Mazindol

(3) Phentermine

(4) Pemoline, including organometallic complexes and chelates thereof

(5) Pipradol

(6) SPA [(-)-1-Dimethylamino-1, 2-diphenylethane].

(c) Any material, compound, mixture or preparation containing any quantity of the following substance, including its salts, isomers (whether position, geometric, or optical) and salts of such isomers whenever the existence of such salts, isomers, and salts of isomers is possible:

(1) Fenfluramine.

(d) Unless specifically excepted or unless listed in another schedule, any material, compound, mixture or preparation which contains any quantity of the following substances, including its salts;

(1) [Blank]

(e) Unless specifically excepted or unless listed in another schedule, any material, compound, mixture, or preparation containing limited quantities of any of the following narcotic drugs, or any salts thereof:

(1) Not more than one milligram of difenoxin and not less than twenty-five micrograms of atropine sulfate per dosage unit.

(2) Dosage forms of Dextropropoxyphene [Alpha-(+)-4-dimethylamino-1, 2-diphenyl-3-methyl-2-propionoxybutane].

(f) Pentazocine hydrochloride and acetaminophen, pentazocine hydrochloride and aspirin, and pentazocine and naloxone hydrochloride (all for oral administration only).

(g) Butorphanol

HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 32-1510.37; 1971 (57) 800; 1974 (58) 2228; 1976 Act No. 672 Section 6; 1978 Act No. 452 Sections 3, 4; 1979 Act No. 118 Section 3; 1981 Act No. 72, Section 3; 1982 Act No. 423 Section 5; 1985 Act No. 59 Sections 6, 7; 1994 Act No. 456, Section 2; 2000 Act No. 355, Section 9.

Editor's Note

Section 44-53-160(B) authorizes the Department of Health and Environmental Control to add, delete, or reschedule a substance as a controlled substance when the General Assembly is not in session, and Section 44-53-160(C) requires the department to make such changes to conform to federal law. For a complete and accurate list of controlled substance schedules, please visit the department's website at http://www.scdhec.gov/Health/FHPF/DrugControlRegisterVerify/ControlledSubstanceSchedule/

SECTION 44-53-260.Tests for inclusion of substance in Schedule V.

The Department shall place a substance in Schedule V if it finds that:

(a) It has a low potential for abuse relative to the substances listed in Schedule IV;

(b) It has a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States; and

(c) Abuse of the substance may lead to limited physical dependence or psychological dependence relative to the substances listed in Schedule IV.

HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 32-1510.38; 1971 (57) 800.

SECTION 44-53-270.Schedule V.

(a) The controlled substances listed in this section are included in Schedule V.

(b) Any compound, mixture, or preparation containing limited quantities of any of the following narcotic drugs, which shall include one or more non-narcotic active medicinal ingredients in sufficient proportion to confer upon the compound, mixture, or preparation, valuable medicinal qualities other than those possessed by the narcotic drug alone:

(1) Not more than 200 milligrams of codeine per 100 milliliter or per 100 grams;

(2) Not more than 100 milligrams of dihydrocodeine per 100 milliliters or per 100 grams;

(3) Not more than 100 milligrams of ethylmorphine per 100 milliliters or per 100 grams;

(4) Not more than 2.5 milligrams of diphenoxylate and not less than 25 micrograms of atropine sulfate per dosage unit;

(5) Not more than 100 milligrams of opium per 100 milliliters or per 100 grams.

(6) Not more than one-half milligram of difenoxin and not less than twenty-five micrograms of atropine sulfate per dosage unit.

HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 32-1510.39; 1971 (57) 800; 1978 Act No. 452 Section 5; 1979 Act No. 118 Section 4; 1985 Act No. 59 Section 8.

Editor's Note

Section 44-53-160(B) authorizes the Department of Health and Environmental Control to add, delete, or reschedule a substance as a controlled substance when the General Assembly is not in session, and Section 44-53-160(C) requires the department to make such changes to conform to federal law. For a complete and accurate list of controlled substance schedules, please visit the department's website at http://www.scdhec.gov/Health/FHPF/DrugControlRegisterVerify/ControlledSubstanceSchedule/

SECTION 44-53-280.Promulgation of rules and regulations; requirement of professional license; expiration of registration; failure to renew registration; reinstatement; fees and penalties.

(A) The department may promulgate regulations and may charge reasonable fees relating to the license and control of the manufacture, distribution, and dispensing of controlled substances.

(B) No person engaged in a profession or occupation for which a license is required by law may be registered under this article unless the person holds a valid license of that profession or occupation.

(C) A class 20-28 registration, as provided for by the board in regulation, expires October first of each year. The registration of a registrant who fails to renew by October first is canceled. However, registration may be reinstated upon payment of the renewal fees due and a penalty of one hundred dollars if the registrant is otherwise in good standing and presents a satisfactory explanation for failure to renew.

(D) All registrations other than class 20-28, as provided for by the board in regulation, expire on April first of each year. The registration of a registrant who fails to renew by April first is canceled. However, registration may be reinstated upon payment of the renewal fees due and a penalty of one hundred dollars if the registrant is otherwise in good standing and presents a satisfactory explanation for failure to renew.

(E) Refusal by the department to reinstate a canceled registration after payment of the renewal fee and penalty and presentation of an explanation constitutes a refusal to renew and the procedures under Section 44-53-320 apply.

(F) For class 20-28 registrants, initial registrations issued before July first expire October first of that same year, and initial registrations issued on or after July first expire October first of the following year. For classes other than class 20-28, initial registrations issued before January first expire April first of the following year, and initial registrations issued on or after January first expire April first of the following year.

HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 32-1510.40; 1971 (57) 800; 1974 (58) 2228; 1977 Act No. 73, Section 1; 1981 Act No. 79, Section 1; 1994 Act No. 457, Section 1; 2018 Act No. 216 (H.4487), Section 2, eff May 18, 2018.

Effect of Amendment

2018 Act No. 216, Section 2, rewrote (C) and (D), eliminating registration renewal grace periods.

SECTION 44-53-290.Requirement of and authority granted by registration; individuals exempt from registration; registration for maintenance and detoxification treatment.

(a) Every person who manufactures, distributes, or dispenses any controlled substance or who proposes to engage in the manufacture, distribution, or dispensing of any controlled substance, shall obtain a registration issued by the Department in accordance with its rules and regulations.

(b) Persons registered by the Department under this article to manufacture, distribute, dispense, or conduct research with controlled substances may possess, manufacture, distribute, dispense, or conduct research with those substances to the extent authorized by their registration and in conformity with the other provisions of this article.

(c) The following persons need not register and may lawfully possess controlled substances under this article:

(1) An agent or employee of any registered manufacturer, distributor, or dispenser of any controlled substance if he is acting in the usual course of his business or employment;

(2) A common or contract carrier or warehouseman, or an employee thereof, whose possession of any controlled substance is in the usual course of business or employment;

(3) An ultimate user or a person in possession of any controlled substance pursuant to a lawful order of a practitioner or in lawful possession of a Schedule V substance.

(d) The Department may, by regulation, waive the requirement for registration of certain manufacturers, distributors or dispensers if it finds it consistent with the public health and safety.

(e) A separate registration shall be required at each principal place of business or professional practice where the applicant manufactures, distributes or dispenses controlled substances.

(f) The Department is authorized to inspect the establishment of a registrant or an applicant for a registration in accordance with the rules and regulations promulgated by it.

(g) The Department may authorize persons engaged in research on the use and effects of controlled substances to withhold the names and other identifying characteristics of individuals who are the subjects of the research. Persons who obtain this authorization are not compelled in any civil, criminal, administrative, legislative, or other proceeding to identify the individuals who are the subjects of research for which the authorization was obtained.

(h) The Department may authorize the possession and distribution of controlled substances by persons engaged in research. Persons who obtain this authorization are exempt from State prosecution for possession and distribution of controlled substances to the extent of the authorization.

(i) Practitioners who dispense narcotic drugs to individuals for maintenance treatment or detoxification treatment shall obtain annually a separate registration for that purpose. The board shall register an applicant to dispense but not prescribe narcotic drugs to individuals for maintenance treatment or detoxification treatment, or both:

(1) if the applicant is a practitioner who is otherwise qualified to be registered under the provisions of this article to engage in the treatment with respect to which registration has been sought;

(2) if the board determines that the applicant will comply with standards established by the board respecting security of stocks of narcotic drugs for such treatment, and the maintenance of records in accordance with Section 44-53-340 and the rules issued by the board on such drugs; and

(3) if the board determines that the applicant will comply with standards established by the board respecting the quantities of narcotic drugs which may be provided for unsupervised use by individuals in such treatment.

(j) Pursuant to the procedures set forth in Section 44-53-300, the department may issue a registration to a licensed nurse practitioner, certified nurse-midwife, or clinical nurse specialist authorized to prescribe controlled substances by the State Board of Nursing for South Carolina, consistent with such prescription authorization. The department also may issue a registration, pursuant to the procedures set forth in Section 44-53-300, to a licensed physician assistant authorized to prescribe controlled substances by the State Board of Medical Examiners, consistent with such prescription authorization. A nurse practitioner, certified nurse-midwife, clinical nurse specialist, or physician assistant registered by the department pursuant to this subsection may not acquire, possess, or dispense, other than by prescription, a controlled substance except as provided by law.

HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 32-1510.41; 1971 (57) 800; 1975 (59) 104; 1993 Act No. 124, Section 3; 2018 Act No. 216 (H.4487), Section 3, eff May 18, 2018.

Effect of Amendment

2018 Act No. 216, Section 3, in (i), substituted "board" for "Board" throughout, in (3), deleted "after consultation with the South Carolina Methadone Council" following "established by the board", and made a nonsubstantive change; and rewrote (j).

SECTION 44-53-300.Granting of registration.

(a) The Department shall register an applicant to manufacture, distribute, or dispense controlled substances included in Sections 44-53-190, 44-53-210, 44-53-230, 44-53-250 and 44-53-270 if it determines that the issuance of such registration is consistent with the public interest. In determining the public interest, the following factors shall be considered:

(1) Maintenance of effective controls against diversion of controlled substances into other than legitimate medical, scientific, or industrial channels;

(2) Compliance with applicable state or federal law;

(3) Promotion and technical advances in the art of manufacturing these substances and the development of new substances;

(4) Prior conviction record of applicant under Federal and State laws relating to the manufacture, distribution or dispensing of such substances;

(5) Past experience in the manufacture, distribution, and dispensing of controlled substances and the existence in the establishment of effective controls against diversion;

(6) Such other factors as may be relevant to and consistent with the public health and safety; and

(7) Licensing by a federal agency.

(b) A registration granted under subsection (a) of this section shall not entitle a registrant to manufacture and distribute controlled substances in Schedule I or II other than those specified in the registration.

(c) Within the discretion of the Department, practitioners may be registered to dispense one or more controlled substances in Schedules II through V if they are authorized to dispense drugs under the law of this State. Such practitioners, properly registered with the Department to dispense controlled substances, may also conduct research with non-narcotic controlled substances in Schedules II through V without additional registration as a researcher, provided that prior to engaging in such research, the practitioner shall notify the Department in writing of the scope of such research and the name of the controlled substances to be utilized. Practitioners desiring to conduct research with Schedule I controlled substances or with narcotic controlled substances in Schedules II through V shall first obtain a separate researcher registration from the Department.

(d) The Department shall permit persons to apply for registration within sixty days after June 17, 1971 who own or operate any establishment engaged in the manufacture, distribution, or dispensing of any controlled substances prior to June 17, 1971 and who are registered by the State.

(e) Compliance by manufacturers and distributors with the provisions of the Federal law respecting registration (excluding fees) entitles them to be registered under this article.

HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 32-1510.42; 1971 (57) 800; 1981 Act No. 79, Sections 2, 3.

SECTION 44-53-310.Grounds for denial, revocation, or suspension of registration; civil fine.

(a) An application for a registration or a registration granted pursuant to Section 44-53-300 to manufacture, distribute, or dispense a controlled substance, may be denied, suspended, or revoked by the Board upon a finding that the registrant:

(1) Has materially falsified any application filed pursuant to this article;

(2) Has been convicted of a felony or misdemeanor under any State or Federal law relating to any controlled substance;

(3) Has had his Federal registration suspended or revoked to manufacture, distribute, or dispense controlled substances; or

(4) Has failed to comply with any standard referred to in Section 44-53-290(i).

(b) The department may place a registrant who violates this article on probation or levy a civil fine of not more than two thousand five hundred dollars, or both. Fines generated pursuant to this section must be remitted to the State Treasurer for deposit to the benefit of the Department of Mental Health to be used exclusively for the treatment and rehabilitation of drug addicts within the department's addiction center facilities.

(c) The Department may suspend, deny, or revoke the registration of any registrant or applicant for the conviction of any felony or misdemeanor involving moral turpitude.

(d) The Department may suspend, deny, or revoke the registration of any registrant or applicant for violation of any of the rules and regulations issued by the Department relating to controlled substances.

(e) The Department may suspend, deny, or revoke the registration of any registrant or applicant if it finds that the security provided for the storage of controlled substances is inadequate to the extent that repeated diversions by theft have occurred.

(f) The Department may suspend, deny, or revoke the registration of any registrant or applicant upon a finding by the Department that the registrant or applicant has violated any statutory provision of this article.

HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 32-1510.43; 1971 (57) 800; 1974 (58) 2228; 1975 (59) 104; 1981 Act No. 79, Sections 4, 5; 1994 Act No. 497, Part II, Section 36L.

SECTION 44-53-320.Procedure for denial, revocation, or suspension of registration; administrative consent order.

(a) Order to show cause.-Before denying, suspending or revoking a registration, or refusing a renewal of registration, the Department shall serve upon the applicant or registrant an order to show cause why registration should not be denied, revoked, or suspended, or why the renewal should not be refused. The order to show cause shall contain a statement of the basis therefor and shall call upon the applicant or registrant to appear before the Department at a time and place not less than thirty days after the date of service of the order, but in the case of a denial or renewal of registration the show cause order shall be served not later than thirty days before the expiration of the registration. These proceedings shall be conducted without regard to any criminal prosecution or other proceeding. Proceedings to refuse renewal of registration shall not abate the existing registration which shall remain in effect pending the outcome of the administrative hearing.

(b) The Department, without an order to show cause, may suspend any registration simultaneously with the institution of proceedings under Section 44-53-310, or where renewal of registration is refused if it finds that there is an imminent danger to the public health or safety which warrants this action. A failure to comply with a standard referred to in Section 44-53-290(i) may be treated under this subsection as grounds for immediate suspension of a registration granted under such section. The suspension shall continue in effect until withdrawn by the Board or dissolved by a court of competent jurisdiction.

(c) In the event the Department suspends or revokes a registration, all controlled substances owned or possessed by the registrant at the time of suspension or the effective date of the revocation order may be placed under seal. No disposition may be made of substances under seal until the suspension or revocation is withdrawn by the Department or dissolved by a court of competent jurisdiction, unless a court, upon application, orders the sale of perishable substances and the deposit of the proceeds of the sale with the court. Upon a revocation order becoming final, all such controlled substances shall be forfeited to the State.

(d) After proper hearing of either a formal or informal nature, the Department, upon its own motion or otherwise, may tender to any respondent in an action brought under subsection (a) of this section, an offer of an administrative consent order if it is found that such administrative consent order properly serves the interests of justice. Such order may contain total or partial revocation of a portion or all of the registration to be affected; assessment of a civil fine and a probationary registration period as provided in Section 44-53-310; terms of any probationary registration; and any other terms affecting such registration as may be agreed upon and consented to by the parties to the order. Such order shall become effective on the date signed by the administrative hearing officer designated by the department unless another date is specified within the order. Violation of such order by the respondent thereto at any time subsequent to the effective date of the order and prior to the expiration of the order or the probationary registration period set forth therein shall cause the registration affected by such order to be revoked, after notice of such revocation is mailed to the respondent at his last known address.

HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 32-1510.44; 1971 (57) 800; 1975 (59) 104; 1978 Act No. 546 Section 1.

SECTION 44-53-330.Copy of judgment sent to licensing board upon conviction.

Upon the conviction of any person of the violation of any provision of this article, a certified copy of the judgment of conviction shall be sent by the clerk of the court to the licensing board by whom the convicted defendant has been licensed or registered to practice his profession or to carry on his business. Upon final order of the Department suspending, denying, modifying, or revoking the controlled substances registration of any registrant or applicant under this article, or upon the execution and approval of an administrative consent order provided for by Section 44-53-320, the Department shall forward a copy thereof to the licensing board by whom the affected registrant or applicant has been licensed or registered to practice his profession or carry on his business, if such licensing board be in existence.

HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 32-1510.45; 1971 (57) 800; 1981 Act No. 79, Section 6.

SECTION 44-53-340.Records and inventories of registrants.

Persons registered to manufacture, distribute, or dispense controlled substances under this article shall keep records and maintain inventories in conformance with the record-keeping and inventory requirements of Federal law and with any additional rules the Department issues.

HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 32-1510.46; 1971 (57) 800.

SECTION 44-53-350.Order forms for distribution of controlled substances.

(a) Controlled substances in Schedules I and II shall be distributed by a registrant to another registrant only pursuant to an order form prescribed by the Department. Compliance with the provisions of Federal law respecting order forms shall be deemed compliance with this section.

(b) Nothing contained in subsection (a) shall apply:

(1) To the administering or dispensing of such substances to a patient by a practitioner in the course of his professional practice, however, such practitioner shall comply with the requirements of Section 44-53-340;

(2) To the distribution or dispensing of such substances by a pharmacist to an ultimate user pursuant to a written prescription issued by a practitioner authorized to issue such prescription, however, such pharmacist shall comply with the requirements of Section 44-53-340.

HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 32-1510.47; 1971 (57) 800.

SECTION 44-53-360.Prescriptions.

(a) Except when dispensed directly by a practitioner, other than a pharmacist, to an ultimate user, or in emergency situations as prescribed by the department by regulation, no controlled substance included in Schedule II may be dispensed without the written or electronic prescription of a practitioner. Prescriptions shall be retained in conformity with the requirements of Section 44-53-340. No prescription for a controlled substance in Schedule II may be refilled.

(b) A pharmacist may dispense a controlled substance included in Schedule III, IV, or V pursuant to either a written or electronic prescription signed by a practitioner, or a facsimile of a written, signed prescription, transmitted by the practitioner or the practitioner's agent to the pharmacy, or pursuant to an oral prescription, reduced promptly to writing and filed by the pharmacist. A prescription transmitted by facsimile must be received at the pharmacy as it was originally transmitted by facsimile and must include the name and address of the practitioner, the phone number for verbal confirmation, the time and date of transmission, and the name of the pharmacy intended to receive the transmission, as well as any other information required by federal or state law. Such prescription, when authorized, may not be refilled more than five times or later than six months after the date of the prescription unless renewed by the practitioner.

(c) No controlled substances included in any schedule may be distributed or dispensed for other than a medical purpose. No practitioner may dispense a Schedule II narcotic controlled substance for the purpose of maintaining the addiction of a narcotic dependent person outside of a facility or program approved by the Department of Health and Environmental Control. No practitioner may dispense a controlled substance outside of a bona fide practitioner-patient relationship.

(d) Unless specifically indicated in writing on the face of the prescription or noted in the electronic prescription that it is to be refilled, and the number of times specifically indicated, no prescription may be refilled. The indication of "PRN" or "ad lib" or phrases, abbreviations, or symbols of like meaning shall not be construed as to exceed five refills or six months, whichever shall first occur. Preprinted refill instructions on the face of a prescription shall be disregarded by the dispenser unless an affirmative marking or other indication is made by the prescriber.

(e) Prescriptions for controlled substances in Schedule II with the exception of transdermal patches and surgically implanted drug delivery systems, must not exceed a thirty-one-day supply. Prescriptions for Schedule II substances must be dispensed within ninety days of the date of issue, after which time they are void. Prescriptions for controlled substances in Schedules III through V, inclusive, must not exceed a ninety-day supply.

(f) Preprinted prescriptions for controlled substances in any schedule are prohibited.

(g) The Board shall, by rules and regulations, specify the manner by which prescriptions are filed.

(h) A prescription, in order to be effective in legalizing the possession of a controlled substance and eliminating the need for registration of the recipient, must be issued for legitimate medical purposes. The responsibility for the proper prescribing and dispensing of controlled substances is upon the prescribing practitioner, but a corresponding liability rests with the pharmacist who fills and ultimately dispenses the prescription. An order purporting to be a prescription issued to a drug dependent person, not in the course of generally accepted medical treatment, but for the purpose of providing the user with controlled substances sufficient to maintain his dependence upon the substance, or to provide him with quantities of controlled substances in great excess of normal dosage ranges as recommended by the manufacturer of the substance, is not a prescription within the meaning and intent of this article; and the person filling or dispensing such an order, as well as the person issuing it, shall be deemed in violation of this section.

(i) Excepting a mail order prescription dispensed in compliance with Chapter 43 of Title 40 for which the dispenser requires proper identification of the recipient, a prescription for a controlled substance in Schedules II through V may not be filled unless the dispenser knows the recipient or requires the recipient to produce a government issued photo identification, and the dispenser notes the identification source and number on the prescription, or in a readily retrievable log including:

(1) prescription number;

(2) date prescription filled;

(3) number and type of identification;

(4) initials of person obtaining and recording information.

(j)(1) Initial opioid prescriptions for acute pain management or postoperative pain management must not exceed a seven-day supply, except when clinically indicated for cancer pain, chronic pain, hospice care, palliative care, major trauma, major surgery, treatment of sickle cell disease, treatment of neonatal abstinence syndrome, or medication-assisted treatment for substance use disorder. Upon any subsequent consultation for the same pain, the practitioner may issue any appropriate renewal, refill, or new opioid prescription.

(2) This subsection does not apply to opioid prescriptions issued by a practitioner who orders an opioid prescription to be wholly administered in a hospital, nursing home, hospice facility, or residential care facility.

(3) A practitioner who acts in accordance with the limitation on prescriptions as set forth in this subsection is immune from any civil liability or disciplinary action from the practitioner's professional licensing board.

(4) As used in this subsection:

(A) "Acute pain" means pain that a practitioner reasonably expects to last for three months or less, whether resulting from disease, accident, intentional trauma, or other cause. The term does not include "chronic pain" or pain being treated as part of cancer care, chronic care, hospice care, palliative care, major trauma, major surgery, treatment of sickle cell disease, treatment of neonatal abstinence syndrome, or medication-assisted treatment for substance use disorder.

(B) "Chronic pain" means pain that typically lasts for longer than three months or that lasts beyond the time of normal tissue healing.

(C) "Postoperative pain" means acute pain experienced immediately after a surgical procedure.

(D) "Surgical procedure" means a procedure performed for the purpose of altering the human body by incision or destruction of tissues as part of the practice of medicine such as diagnostic or therapeutic treatment of conditions or disease processes by use of instruments and includes lasers, ultrasound, ionizing, radiation, scalpels, probes, or needles that cause localized alteration or transportation of live human tissue by cutting, burning, vaporizing, freezing, suturing, probing, or manipulating by closed reduction for major dislocations and fractures, or otherwise altering by any mechanical, thermal, light-based, electromagnetic, or chemical means.

(k)(1) Unless otherwise exempted by this subsection, a practitioner shall electronically prescribe any controlled substance included in Schedules II, III, IV, and V. This subsection does not apply to prescriptions for a controlled substance included in Schedules II through V issued by any of the following:

(A) a practitioner, other than a pharmacist, who dispenses directly to the ultimate user;

(B) a practitioner who orders a controlled substance included in Schedules II through V to be administered in a hospital, nursing home, hospice care program, home infusion pharmacy, outpatient dialysis facility, or residential care facility;

(C) a practitioner who experiences temporary technological or electrical failure or other extenuating technical circumstances that prevent a prescription from being transmitted electronically; however, the practitioner must document the reason for this exception in the patient's medical record;

(D) a practitioner who writes a prescription for a controlled substance included in Schedules II through V to be dispensed by a pharmacy located on federal property; however, the practitioner must document the reason for this exception in the patient's medical record;

(E) a person licensed to practice veterinary medicine pursuant to Chapter 69, Title 40;

(F) a practitioner who writes a prescription for a controlled substance included in Schedules II through V for a patient who is being discharged from a hospital, emergency department, or urgent care or for a patient who is receiving services from a facility established pursuant to Section 44-11-10; or

(G) a practitioner who issues an oral authorization in the case of an emergency situation.

(2) A prescription for a controlled substance included in Schedules II, III, IV, and V that includes elements that are not supported by the most recently implemented version of the National Council for Prescription Drug Programs Prescriber/Pharmacist Interface SCRIPT Standard is exempt from this subsection.

(3) A dispenser is not required to verify that a practitioner properly falls under one of the exceptions specified in item (1) or (2) before dispensing a controlled substance included in Schedules II through V. A dispenser may continue to dispense a controlled substance included in Schedules II through V from valid written, oral, faxed, or electronic prescriptions that are otherwise consistent with applicable laws.

(4) A dispenser is immune from any civil or criminal liability or disciplinary action from the State Board of Pharmacy for dispensing a prescription written by a prescriber that is in violation of this subsection.

(l)(1) A written prescription for any Schedule II, III, IV, and V controlled substance must be written on tamper-resistant prescription pads which contain one or more industry-recognized features designed to prevent all of the following:

(A) unauthorized copying of a completed or blank prescription form;

(B) erasure or modification of information written on the prescription by the prescriber; and

(C) use of counterfeit prescription forms.

(2) Prescription orders transmitted by facsimile, orally, or electronically are exempt from the tamper-resistant prescription pad requirements of this section.

(3) The tamper-resistant prescription pad requirements do not apply to refill prescriptions of an original written prescription that was presented to a pharmacy before the effective date of this act.

(4) The exceptions set forth in Section 1927(k)(3) of the Social Security Act, 42 U.S.C. Section 1396r-8(k)(3), concerning nursing facilities, hospitals, and other institutional and clinical settings, are exempt from the tamper-resistant prescription pad requirements of this section.

(5) If a written prescription is not submitted on a tamper-resistant prescription form meeting the requirements of this section, a pharmacy may fill the prescription in full as written on an emergency basis as long as the pharmacy receives a verbal, facsimile, electronic, or compliant written prescription from the prescriber within seventy-two hours after the date on which the prescription was filled.

HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 32-1510.48; 1971 (57) 800; 1974 (58) 2228; 1975 (59) 104; 1981 Act No. 79, Section 7; 2000 Act No. 355, Section 10; 2002 Act No. 365, Sections 2, 3, eff September 26, 2002; 2006 Act No. 396, Section 2, eff June 14, 2006; 2007 Act No. 71, Sections 1 to 3, eff June 13, 2007; 2018 Act No. 201 (S.918), Section 1, eff May 15, 2018; 2018 Act No. 243 (H.3826), Section 1, eff July 16, 2018; 2019 Act No. 65 (H.3728), Sections 5, 6, eff January 1, 2021; 2020 Act No. 160 (H.4938), Section 1, eff January 1, 2021; 2021 Act No. 23 (H.3179), Section 1, eff April 26, 2021.

Editor's Note

2019 Act No. 65, preamble, provides as follows:

"Whereas, the South Carolina General Assembly is committed to combatting the opioid epidemic occurring within this State; and

"Whereas, the South Carolina General Assembly has enacted and is working to enact legislation aimed at stemming the misuse of opioids in South Carolina; and

"Whereas, collecting information related to opioid use and misuse helps those working to better understand the complexities of substance abuse disorders and enables those working with patients suffering from this disease to develop strategies for treatment, education, and care; and

"Whereas, the purpose of this legislation is to provide data to health care professionals treating patients who have been diagnosed with an opioid overdose and received an antidote in response to that overdose; and

"Whereas, the South Carolina General Assembly intends for the information collected pursuant to this law to be used by health care professionals to assist patients in getting appropriate treatment including, but not limited to, treatment for substance abuse disorder; and

"Whereas, the General Assembly intends further that the information collected pursuant to this law should not be used as the sole determining factor in a decision regarding whether to treat or refuse to treat a patient suffering from an opioid misuse. Now, therefore, [text of act]."

Effect of Amendment

2018 Act No. 201, Section 1, added (j), establishing limitations for initial opioid prescriptions.

2018 Act No. 243, Section 1, added (k), requiring written prescriptions for controlled substances to be written on tamper-resistant prescription pads, with exceptions.

2019 Act No. 65, Section 5, in (a), in the first sentence, substituted "department" for "Department" and inserted "or electronic" following "written"; in (b), in the first sentence, inserted "or electronic" following "written"; and in (d), in the first sentence, inserted "or noted in the electronic prescription".

2019 Act No. 65, Section 6, in (j), added (5), providing for the use of electronic prescriptions.

2020 Act No. 160, Section 1, in (j), redesignated (5) as (k) and rewrote (k), and redesignated former (k) as (l).

2021 Act No. 23, Section 1, in (e), in the first sentence, substituted "and surgically implanted drug delivery systems, must not exceed a thirty-one-day supply" for ", must not exceed a thirty-one day supply".

SECTION 44-53-361.Prescriptions for opioid antidotes.

(A) A prescriber shall:

(1) offer a prescription or provide consistent with the existing standard of care and the FDA for naloxone hydrochloride or another drug approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration for the complete or partial reversal of opioid depression to a patient if one or more of the following conditions are present:

(a) the prescription or offer consistent with the existing standard of care and the FDA dosage for the patient is fifty or more morphine milligram equivalents of an opioid medication per day;

(b) an opioid medication is prescribed or offered consistent with the existing standard of care and the FDA concurrently with a prescription for benzodiazepine; or

(c) the patient presents with an increased risk for overdose, including a patient with a history of overdose, a patient with a history of substance use disorder, or a patient at risk for returning to a high dose of opioid medication to which the patient is no longer tolerant;

(2) consistent with the existing standard of care, provide education to patients receiving a prescription pursuant to item (1) on overdose prevention and the use of naloxone hydrochloride or another drug approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration for the complete or partial reversal of opioid depression; and

(3) consistent with the existing standard of care, provide education on overdose prevention and the use of naloxone hydrochloride or another drug approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration for the complete or partial reversal of opioid depression to one or more persons designated by the patient or, for a patient who is a minor, to the patient's parent or guardian.

This subsection does not apply in the following circumstances:

(a) patients who are receiving care for cancer or a cancer-related condition, patients in hospice, patients receiving palliative care; or

(b) any other patients who, in the prescriber's good faith medical judgment, would not benefit from a prescription for naloxone hydrochloride or another drug approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration for the complete or partial reversal of opioid-related respiratory and/or central nervous system depression.

(B) A prescriber who fails to offer a prescription, as required by subsection (A)(1), or fails to provide the education and use information required by subsections (A)(2) and (3) may be subject to discipline by the appropriate licensing board. This section does not create a private right of action against a prescriber and does not limit a prescriber's liability for negligent failure to diagnose or treat a patient.

(C) A prescriber is not subject to professional disciplinary actions including, but not limited to, disciplinary actions initiated by any board or licensing agency arising from the prescriber's compliance with the provisions of this section.

HISTORY: 2021 Act No. 22 (S.571), Section 1, eff July 25, 2021; 2023 Act No. 78 (S.407), Section 1, eff June 19, 2023.

Effect of Amendment

2023 Act No. 78, Section 1, rewrote (A) and added (C).

SECTION 44-53-362.Controlled substance take-back events and mail-back programs; collectors.

(A) A controlled substance manufacturer, distributer, or reverse distributer; a narcotic treatment program; a hospital or clinic with an onsite pharmacy; or a retail pharmacy operating in the State may apply to be registered as a collector by the federal Drug Enforcement Administration, pursuant to 21 C.F.R. 1317.40, to receive Schedule II, III, IV, and V controlled substances from an ultimate user, or a person entitled to dispose of an ultimate user decedent's property, as part of law enforcement take-back events or collector mail-back programs. A collector must comply with any state and federal requirements to ensure the safe disposal of controlled substances and to prevent diversion of collected controlled substances, including as provided in 21 C.F.R. Part 1317.

(B) The Department of Health and Environmental Control shall develop guidance for pharmacies and other entities qualified to register as a collector to encourage participation. The department shall coordinate with law enforcement, health care providers, and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration to encourage registration as a collector and to promote public awareness of controlled substance take-back events and mail-back programs.

HISTORY: 2017 Act No. 76 (H.3817), Section 1, eff May 19, 2017.

SECTION 44-53-363.Prerequisites to issuing opioid analgesics to minors.

(A) Except as provided in subsection (C), before issuing, for a minor, the first prescription in a single course of treatment for an opioid analgesic, regardless of whether the dosage is modified during that course of treatment, a prescriber shall:

(1) as part of the prescriber's examination of the minor, assess whether the minor has ever suffered from or is currently suffering from a mental health or substance abuse disorder and whether the minor has taken or is currently taking prescription drugs for treatment of a mental health or substance abuse disorder;

(2) discuss with the minor and the minor's parent, guardian, or another adult authorized to consent to the minor's medical treatment all of the following:

(a) the risks of addiction and overdose associated with opioid analgesics;

(b) the increased risk of addiction to controlled substances of individuals suffering from both mental health and substance abuse disorders;

(c) the dangers of taking opioid analgesics with benzodiazepines, alcohol, or other central nervous system depressants;

(d) any other information in the patient counseling information section of the labeling for the opioid analgesic required pursuant to 21 C.F.R. 201.57(c)(18); and

(3) obtain written consent for the prescription from the minor's parent, guardian, or, subject to subsection (E), another adult authorized to consent to the minor's medical treatment.

(B) The prescriber shall record the consent required pursuant to subsection (A)(3) on a "Start Talking!" consent form developed by the State Board of Medical Examiners. The form must be separate from any other document the prescriber uses to obtain informed consent for other treatment provided to the minor and must contain:

(1) the name and quantity of the opioid analgesic being prescribed and the amount of the initial dose;

(2) a statement indicating that a controlled substance is a drug or other substance that the United States Drug Enforcement Administration has identified as having a potential for abuse;

(3) a statement certifying that the prescriber discussed with the minor and the minor's parent, guardian, or another adult authorized to consent to the minor's medical treatment the matters described in subsection (A)(2);

(4) the number of refills, if any, authorized by the prescription; and

(5) the signature of the minor's parent, guardian, or another adult authorized to consent to the minor's medical treatment and the date of signing.

(C)(1) The requirements set forth in subsection (A) do not apply if the minor's treatment with an opioid analgesic:

(a) is associated with or incident to a medical emergency;

(b) is associated with or incident to surgery, regardless of whether the surgery is performed on an inpatient or outpatient basis;

(c) is associated with pain management treatment for palliative care, cancer care, or hematological disorders including, but not limited to, sickle cell disease;

(d) is associated with the treatment of neonatal abstinence syndrome;

(e) in the prescriber's professional judgment, fulfilling the requirements of subsection (A) would be a detriment to the minor's health or safety;

(f) except as provided in subsection (D), the treatment is rendered in a hospital, emergency facility, ambulatory surgical facility, nursing home, pediatric respite care program, residential care facility, freestanding rehabilitation facility, or similar institutional facility;

(g) is ordered by a practitioner issuing a prescription for a Schedule II controlled substance to treat a hospice-certified patient;

(h) is ordered by a practitioner issuing a prescription for a Schedule II controlled substance that does not exceed a five-day supply for a patient; or

(i) is ordered by a practitioner prescribing a Schedule II controlled substance for a patient with whom the practitioner has an established relationship for the treatment of a chronic condition; however, the practitioner must review the patient's controlled substance history maintained in the prescription drug monitoring program at least every three months.

(2) The requirements of subsection (A) do not apply to a prescription for an opioid analgesic that a prescriber issues to a minor at the time of discharge from a facility or other location described in item (1)(f).

(D) The exemption provided pursuant to subsection (C)(1)(f) does not apply to treatment rendered in a prescriber's office that is located on the premises of or adjacent to a facility or other location described in that subsection.

(E) If the individual who signs the consent form required pursuant to subsection (A)(3) is another adult authorized to consent to the minor's medical treatment, the prescriber shall prescribe not more than a single, seventy-two hour supply and indicate on the prescription the quantity that is to be dispensed pursuant to the prescription.

(F) A signed "Start Talking!" consent form obtained pursuant to this section must be maintained in the minor's medical record.

(G)(1) As used in this section:

(a) "Another adult authorized to consent to the minor's medical treatment" means an adult to whom a minor's parent or guardian has given written authorization to consent to the minor's medical treatment.

(b) "Medical emergency" means a situation that in a prescriber's good faith medical judgment creates an immediate threat of serious risk to the life or physical health of a minor.

(c) "Minor" means an individual under eighteen years of age who is not emancipated.

(2) For purposes of this section, an individual under eighteen years of age is emancipated only if the individual has married, has entered the armed services of the United States, has become employed and self-sustaining, or otherwise has become independent from the care and control of the individual's parent, guardian, or custodian.

HISTORY: 2018 Act No. 242 (H.3819), Section 1, eff November 17, 2018.

SECTION 44-53-365.Theft of controlled substance; penalty.

(A) It is unlawful for a person to take or exercise control over a controlled substance, the immediate precursor of a controlled substance, or ephedrine, pseudoephedrine, or phenylpropanolamine belonging to another person or entity with the intent to deprive the person or entity of the controlled substance, the immediate precursor, or ephedrine, pseudoephedrine, or phenylpropanolamine.

(B) A person who knowingly and intentionally violates subsection (A):

(1) for a first offense, is guilty of a felony and, upon conviction, must be imprisoned for not more than five years or fined not more than five thousand dollars, or both; and

(2) for a second or subsequent violation, is guilty of a felony and, upon conviction, must be imprisoned for not more than ten years or fined not more than ten thousand dollars, or both.

HISTORY: 2002 Act No. 365, Section 1, eff September 26, 2002; 2005 Act No. 127, Section 3, eff June 7, 2005.

Editor's Note

Section 44-53-160(B) authorizes the Department of Health and Environmental Control to add, delete, or reschedule a substance as a controlled substance when the General Assembly is not in session, and Section 44-53-160(C) requires the department to make such changes to conform to federal law. For a complete and accurate list of controlled substance schedules, please visit the department's website at http://www.scdhec.gov/Health/FHPF/DrugControlRegisterVerify/ControlledSubstanceSchedule/

SECTION 44-53-370.Prohibited acts A; penalties.

(a) Except as authorized by this article it shall be unlawful for any person:

(1) to manufacture, distribute, dispense, deliver, purchase, aid, abet, attempt, or conspire to manufacture, distribute, dispense, deliver, or purchase, or possess with the intent to manufacture, distribute, dispense, deliver, or purchase a controlled substance or a controlled substance analogue;

(2) to create, distribute, dispense, deliver, or purchase, or aid, abet, attempt, or conspire to create, distribute, dispense, deliver, or purchase, or possess with intent to distribute, dispense, deliver, or purchase a counterfeit substance.

(b) A person who violates subsection (a) with respect to:

(1) a controlled substance classified in Schedule I (B) and (C) which is a narcotic drug or lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) and in Schedule II which is a narcotic drug is guilty of a felony and, upon conviction, for a first offense must be imprisoned not more than fifteen years or fined not more than twenty-five thousand dollars, or both. For a second offense, the offender must be imprisoned not less than five years nor more than thirty years, or fined not more than fifty thousand dollars, or both. For a third or subsequent offense, the offender must be imprisoned not less than ten years nor more than thirty years, or fined not more than fifty thousand dollars, or both. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a person convicted and sentenced pursuant to this item for a first offense or second offense may have the sentence suspended and probation granted and is eligible for parole, supervised furlough, community supervision, work release, work credits, education credits, and good conduct credits. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a person convicted and sentenced pursuant to this subsection for a third or subsequent offense in which all prior offenses were for possession of a controlled substance pursuant to subsections (c) and (d), may have the sentence suspended and probation granted and is eligible for parole, supervised furlough, community supervision, work release, work credits, education credits, and good conduct credits. In all other cases, the sentence must not be suspended nor probation granted;

(2) any other controlled substance classified in Schedule I, II, or III, flunitrazepam or a controlled substance analogue, is guilty of a felony and, upon conviction, for a first offense must be imprisoned not more than five years or fined not more than five thousand dollars, or both. For a second offense, the offender is guilty of a felony and, upon conviction, must be imprisoned not more than ten years or fined not more than ten thousand dollars, or both. For a third or subsequent offense, the offender is guilty of a felony and, upon conviction, must be imprisoned not less than five years nor more than twenty years, or fined not more than twenty thousand dollars, or both. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a person convicted and sentenced pursuant to this item for a first offense or second offense may have the sentence suspended and probation granted, and is eligible for parole, supervised furlough, community supervision, work release, work credits, education credits, and good conduct credits. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a person convicted and sentenced pursuant to this item for a third or subsequent offense in which all prior offenses were for possession of a controlled substance pursuant to subsections (c) and (d), may have the sentence suspended and probation granted, and is eligible for parole, supervised furlough, community supervision, work release, work credits, education credits, and good conduct credits. In all other cases, the sentence must not be suspended nor probation granted;

(3) a substance classified in Schedule IV except for flunitrazepam is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, for a first offense must be imprisoned not more than three years or fined not more than three thousand dollars, or both. In the case of second or subsequent offenses, the person is guilty of a felony and, upon conviction, must be imprisoned not more than five years or fined not more than six thousand dollars, or both. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a person convicted and sentenced pursuant to this item for a first offense or second offense may have the sentence suspended and probation granted and is eligible for parole, supervised furlough, community supervision, work release, work credits, education credits, and good conduct credits. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a person convicted and sentenced pursuant to this subsection for a third or subsequent offense in which all prior offenses were for possession of a controlled substance pursuant to subsections (c) and (d), may have the sentence suspended and probation granted and is eligible for parole, supervised furlough, community supervision, work release, work credits, education credits, and good conduct credits. In all other cases, the sentence must not be suspended nor probation granted;

(4) a substance classified in Schedule V is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, for a first offense must be imprisoned not more than one year or fined not more than one thousand dollars, or both. In the case of second or subsequent offenses, the sentence must be twice the first offense. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a person convicted and sentenced pursuant to this item for a first offense or second offense may have the sentence suspended and probation granted and is eligible for parole, supervised furlough, community supervision, work release, work credits, education credits, and good conduct credits. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a person convicted and sentenced pursuant to this item for a third or subsequent offense in which all prior offenses were for possession of a controlled substance pursuant to subsections (c) and (d), may have the sentence suspended and probation granted and is eligible for parole, supervised furlough, community supervision, work release, work credits, education credits, and good conduct credits. In all other cases, the sentence must not be suspended nor probation granted.

(c) It shall be unlawful for any person knowingly or intentionally to possess a controlled substance unless the substance was obtained directly from, or pursuant to a valid prescription or order of, a practitioner while acting in the course of his professional practice, or except as otherwise authorized by this article.

(d) A person who violates subsection (c) with respect to:

(1) a controlled substance classified in Schedule I (B) and (C) which is a narcotic drug or lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) and in Schedule II which is a narcotic drug is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be imprisoned not more than two years or fined not more than five thousand dollars, or both. For a second offense, the offender is guilty of a felony and, upon conviction, must be imprisoned not more than five years or fined not more than five thousand dollars, or both. For a third or subsequent offense, the offender is guilty of a felony and, upon conviction, must be imprisoned not more than five years or fined not more than ten thousand dollars, or both. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a person convicted and sentenced pursuant to this item may have the sentence suspended and probation granted and is eligible for parole, supervised furlough, community supervision, work release, work credits, education credits, and good conduct credits;

(2) any other controlled substance classified in Schedules I through V is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be imprisoned not more than six months or fined not more than one thousand dollars, or both. For a second or subsequent offense, the offender is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be imprisoned not more than one year or fined not more than two thousand dollars, or both, except as provided in subsection (d)(4). Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a person convicted and sentenced pursuant to this item may have the sentence suspended and probation granted and is eligible for parole, supervised furlough, community supervision, work release, work credits, education credits, and good conduct credits;

(3) cocaine is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be imprisoned not more than three years or fined not more than five thousand dollars, or both. For a first offense, the court, upon approval of the solicitor, may require as part of a sentence, that the offender enter and successfully complete a drug treatment and rehabilitation program. For a second offense, the offender is guilty of a felony and, upon conviction, must be imprisoned not more than five years or fined not more than seven thousand five hundred dollars, or both. For a third or subsequent offense, the offender is guilty of a felony and, upon conviction, must be imprisoned not more than ten years or fined not more than twelve thousand five hundred dollars, or both. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a person convicted and sentenced pursuant to this item may have the sentence suspended and probation granted and is eligible for parole, supervised furlough, community supervision, work release, work credits, education credits, and good conduct credits;

(4) more than two grains of fentanyl or fentanyl-related substance is guilty of a felony and, upon conviction, must be imprisoned not more than five years or fined not more than five thousand dollars, or both. For a second offense, the offender is guilty of a felony and, upon conviction, must be imprisoned not more than ten years or fined not more than seven thousand five hundred dollars, or both. For a third or subsequent offense, the offender is guilty of a felony and, upon conviction, must be imprisoned not more than fifteen years or fined not more than ten thousand dollars, or both. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a person convicted and sentenced pursuant to this item for a first or second offense may have the sentence suspended and probation granted and is eligible for parole, supervised furlough, community supervision, work release, work credits, education credits, and good conduct credits;

(5) possession of more than: one gram of cocaine, one hundred milligrams of alpha- or beta-eucaine, four grains of opium, four grains of morphine, two grains of heroin, two grains of fentanyl or a fentanyl-related substance as described in Section 44-53-190 or 44-53-210, one hundred milligrams of isonipecaine, twenty-eight grams or one ounce of marijuana, ten grams of hashish, fifty micrograms of lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) or its compounds, fifteen tablets, capsules, dosage units, or the equivalent quantity of 3, 4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), or twenty milliliters or milligrams of gamma hydroxybutyric acid or a controlled substance analogue of gamma hydroxybutyric acid, is prima facie guilty of violation of subsection (a) of this section. A person who violates this subsection with respect to twenty-eight grams or one ounce or less of marijuana or ten grams or less of hashish is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be imprisoned not more than thirty days or fined not less than one hundred dollars nor more than two hundred dollars. Conditional discharge may be granted in accordance with the provisions of Section 44-53-450 upon approval by the circuit solicitor to the magistrate or municipal judge. As a part of a sentence, a magistrate or municipal judge may require attendance at an approved drug abuse program. Persons charged with the offense of possession of marijuana or hashish under this item may be permitted to enter the pretrial intervention program under the provisions of Sections 17-22-10 through 17-22-160. For a second or subsequent offense, the offender is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be imprisoned not more than one year or fined not less than two hundred dollars nor more than one thousand dollars, or both. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a person convicted and sentenced pursuant to this item may have the sentence suspended and probation granted and is eligible for parole, supervised furlough, community supervision, work release, work credits, education credits, and good conduct credits.

When a person is charged under this subsection for possession of controlled substances, bail shall not exceed the amount of the fine and the assessment provided pursuant to Section 14-1-206, 14-1-207, or 14-1-208, whichever is applicable. A person charged under this item for a first offense for possession of controlled substances may forfeit bail by nonappearance. Upon forfeiture in general sessions court, the fine portion of the bail must be distributed as provided in Section 14-1-205. The assessment portion of the bail must be distributed as provided in Section 14-1-206, 14-1-207, or 14-1-208, whichever is applicable.

(e) Any person who knowingly sells, manufactures, cultivates, delivers, purchases, or brings into this State, or who provides financial assistance or otherwise aids, abets, attempts, or conspires to sell, manufacture, cultivate, deliver, purchase, or bring into this State, or who is knowingly in actual or constructive possession or who knowingly attempts to become in actual or constructive possession of:

(1) ten pounds or more of marijuana is guilty of a felony which is known as "trafficking in marijuana" and, upon conviction, must be punished as follows if the quantity involved is:

(a) ten pounds or more, but less than one hundred pounds:

1. for a first offense, a term of imprisonment of not less than one year nor more than ten years, no part of which may be suspended nor probation granted, and a fine of ten thousand dollars;

2. for a second offense, a term of imprisonment of not less than five years nor more than twenty years, no part of which may be suspended nor probation granted, and a fine of fifteen thousand dollars;

3. for a third or subsequent offense, a mandatory term of imprisonment of twenty-five years, no part of which may be suspended nor probation granted, and a fine of twenty-five thousand dollars;

(b) one hundred pounds or more, but less than two thousand pounds, or one hundred to one thousand marijuana plants regardless of weight, a mandatory term of imprisonment of twenty-five years, no part of which may be suspended nor probation granted, and a fine of twenty-five thousand dollars;

(c) two thousand pounds or more, but less than ten thousand pounds, or more than one thousand marijuana plants, but less than ten thousand marijuana plants regardless of weight, a mandatory term of imprisonment of twenty-five years, no part of which may be suspended nor probation granted, and a fine of fifty thousand dollars;

(d) ten thousand pounds or more, or ten thousand marijuana plants, or more than ten thousand marijuana plants regardless of weight, a term of imprisonment of not less than twenty-five years nor more than thirty years with a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of twenty-five years, no part of which may be suspended nor probation granted, and a fine of two hundred thousand dollars;

(2) ten grams or more of cocaine or any mixtures containing cocaine, as provided in Section 44-53-210(b)(4), is guilty of a felony which is known as "trafficking in cocaine" and, upon conviction, must be punished as follows if the quantity involved is:

(a) ten grams or more, but less than twenty-eight grams:

1. for a first offense, a term of imprisonment of not less than three years nor more than ten years, no part of which may be suspended nor probation granted, and a fine of twenty-five thousand dollars;

2. for a second offense, a term of imprisonment of not less than five years nor more than thirty years, no part of which may be suspended nor probation granted, and a fine of fifty thousand dollars;

3. for a third or subsequent offense, a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of not less than twenty-five years nor more than thirty years, no part of which may be suspended nor probation granted, and a fine of fifty thousand dollars;

(b) twenty-eight grams or more, but less than one hundred grams:

1. for a first offense, a term of imprisonment of not less than seven years nor more than twenty-five years, no part of which may be suspended nor probation granted, and a fine of fifty thousand dollars;

2. for a second offense, a term of imprisonment of not less than seven years nor more than thirty years, no part of which may be suspended nor probation granted, and a fine of fifty thousand dollars;

3. for a third or subsequent offense, a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of not less than twenty-five years and not more than thirty years, no part of which may be suspended nor probation granted, and a fine of fifty thousand dollars;

(c) one hundred grams or more, but less than two hundred grams, a mandatory term of imprisonment of twenty-five years, no part of which may be suspended nor probation granted, and a fine of fifty thousand dollars;

(d) two hundred grams or more, but less than four hundred grams, a mandatory term of imprisonment of twenty-five years, no part of which may be suspended nor probation granted, and a fine of one hundred thousand dollars;

(e) four hundred grams or more, a term of imprisonment of not less than twenty-five years nor more than thirty years with a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of twenty-five years, no part of which may be suspended nor probation granted, and a fine of two hundred thousand dollars;

(3) four grams or more of any morphine, opium, salt, isomer, or salt of an isomer thereof, including heroin, as described in Section 44-53-190 or 44-53-210, or four grams or more of any mixture containing any of these substances, is guilty of a felony which is known as "trafficking in illegal drugs" and, upon conviction, must be punished as follows if the quantity involved is:

(a) four grams or more, but less than fourteen grams:

1. for a first offense, a term of imprisonment of not less than seven years nor more than twenty-five years, no part of which may be suspended nor probation granted, and a fine of fifty thousand dollars;

2. for a second or subsequent offense, a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of twenty-five years, no part of which may be suspended nor probation granted, and a fine of one hundred thousand dollars;

(b) fourteen grams or more but less than twenty-eight grams, a mandatory term of imprisonment of twenty-five years, no part of which may be suspended nor probation granted, and a fine of two hundred thousand dollars;

(c) twenty-eight grams or more, a mandatory term of imprisonment of not less than twenty-five years nor more than forty years, no part of which may be suspended nor probation granted, and a fine of two hundred thousand dollars;

(4) fifteen grams or more of methaqualone is guilty of a felony which is known as "trafficking in methaqualone" and, upon conviction, must be punished as follows if the quantity involved is:

(a) fifteen grams but less than one hundred fifty grams:

1. for a first offense, a term of imprisonment of not less than one year nor more than ten years, no part of which may be suspended nor probation granted, and a fine of ten thousand dollars;

2. for a second or subsequent offense, a mandatory term of imprisonment of twenty-five years, no part of which may be suspended nor probation granted, and a fine of twenty-five thousand dollars;

(b) one hundred fifty grams but less than fifteen hundred grams, a mandatory term of imprisonment of twenty-five years, no part of which may be suspended nor probation granted, and a fine of twenty-five thousand dollars;

(c) fifteen hundred grams but less than fifteen kilograms, a mandatory term of imprisonment of twenty-five years, no part of which may be suspended nor probation granted, and a fine of fifty thousand dollars;

(d) fifteen kilograms or more, a term of imprisonment of not less than twenty-five years nor more than thirty years with a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of twenty-five years, no part of which may be suspended nor probation granted, and a fine of two hundred thousand dollars;

(5) one hundred tablets, capsules, dosage units, or the equivalent quantity, or more of lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) is guilty of a felony which is known as "trafficking in LSD" and, upon conviction, must be punished as follows if the quantity involved is:

(a) one hundred dosage units or the equivalent quantity, or more, but less than five hundred dosage units or the equivalent quantity:

1. for a first offense, a term of imprisonment of not less than three years nor more than ten years, no part of which may be suspended nor probation granted, and a fine of twenty thousand dollars;

2. for a second offense, a term of imprisonment of not less than five years nor more than thirty years, no part of which may be suspended or probation granted, and a fine of forty thousand dollars;

3. for a third or subsequent offense, a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of not less than twenty-five years nor more than thirty years, no part of which may be suspended nor probation granted, and a fine of fifty thousand dollars;

(b) five hundred dosage units or the equivalent quantity, or more, but less than one thousand dosage units or the equivalent quantity:

1. for a first offense, a term of imprisonment of not less than seven years nor more than twenty-five years, no part of which may be suspended nor probation granted, and a fine of fifty thousand dollars;

2. for a second offense, a term of imprisonment of not less than seven years nor more than thirty years, no part of which may be suspended nor probation granted, and a fine of fifty thousand dollars;

3. for a third or subsequent offense, a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of not less than twenty-five years and not more than thirty years, no part of which may be suspended nor probation granted, and a fine of fifty thousand dollars;

(c) one thousand dosage units or the equivalent quantity, or more, a mandatory term of imprisonment of twenty-five years, no part of which may be suspended nor probation granted, and a fine of one hundred thousand dollars;

(6) one gram or more of flunitrazepam is guilty of a felony which is known as "trafficking in flunitrazepam" and, upon conviction, must be punished as follows if the quantity involved is:

(a) one gram but less than one hundred grams:

1. for a first offense a term of imprisonment of not less than one year nor more than ten years, no part of which may be suspended nor probation granted, and a fine of ten thousand dollars;

2. for a second or subsequent offense, a mandatory term of imprisonment of twenty-five years, no part of which may be suspended nor probation granted, and a fine of twenty-five thousand dollars;

(b) one hundred grams but less than one thousand grams, a mandatory term of imprisonment of twenty years, no part of which may be suspended nor probation granted, and a fine of twenty-five thousand dollars;

(c) one thousand grams but less than five kilograms, a mandatory term of imprisonment of twenty-five years, no part of which may be suspended nor probation granted, and a fine of fifty thousand dollars;

(d) five kilograms or more, a term of imprisonment of not less than twenty-five years, nor more than thirty years, with a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of twenty-five years, no part of which may be suspended nor probation granted, and a fine of two hundred thousand dollars;

(7) fifty milliliters or milligrams or more of gamma hydroxybutyric acid or a controlled substance analogue of gamma hydroxybutyric acid is guilty of a felony which is known as "trafficking in gamma hydroxybutyric acid" and, upon conviction, must be punished as follows:

(a) for a first offense, a term of imprisonment of not less than one year nor more than ten years, no part of which may be suspended nor probation granted, and a fine of ten thousand dollars;

(b) for a second or subsequent offense, a mandatory term of imprisonment of twenty-five years, no part of which may be suspended nor probation granted, and a fine of twenty-five thousand dollars.

A person convicted and sentenced under this subsection to a mandatory term of imprisonment of twenty-five years, a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of twenty-five years, or a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of not less than twenty-five years nor more than thirty years is not eligible for parole, extended work release, as provided in Section 24-13-610, or supervised furlough, as provided in Section 24-13-710. Notwithstanding Section 44-53-420, a person convicted of conspiracy pursuant to this subsection must be sentenced as provided in this section with a full sentence or punishment and not one-half of the sentence or punishment prescribed for the offense.

The weight of any controlled substance in this subsection includes the substance in pure form or any compound or mixture of the substance.

The offense of possession with intent to distribute described in Section 44-53-370(a) is a lesser included offense to the offenses of trafficking based upon possession described in this subsection.

(8) one hundred tablets, capsules, dosage units, or the equivalent quantity, or more of 3, 4-methalenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) is guilty of a felony which is known as "trafficking in MDMA or ecstasy" and, upon conviction, must be punished as follows if the quantity involved is:

(a) one hundred dosage units or the equivalent quantity, or more, but less than five hundred dosage units or the equivalent quantity:

(i) for a first offense, a term of imprisonment of not less than three years nor more than ten years, no part of which may be suspended nor probation granted, and a fine of twenty thousand dollars;

(ii) for a second offense, a term of imprisonment of not less than five years nor more than thirty years, no part of which may be suspended nor probation granted, and a fine of forty thousand dollars;

(iii) for a third or subsequent offense, a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of not less than twenty-five years nor more than thirty years, no part of which may be suspended nor probation granted, and a fine of fifty thousand dollars;

(b) five hundred dosage units or the equivalent quantity, or more, but less than one thousand dosage units or the equivalent quantity:

(i) for a first offense, a term of imprisonment of not less than seven years nor more than twenty-five years, no part of which may be suspended nor probation granted, and a fine of fifty thousand dollars;

(ii) for a second offense, a term of imprisonment of not less than seven years nor more than thirty years, no part of which may be suspended nor probation granted, and a fine of fifty thousand dollars;

(iii) for a third or subsequent offense, a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of not less than twenty-five years and not more than thirty years, no part of which may be suspended nor probation granted, and a fine of fifty thousand dollars;

(c) one thousand dosage units or the equivalent quantity, or more, a mandatory term of imprisonment of twenty-five years, no part of which may be suspended nor probation granted, and a fine of one hundred thousand dollars;

(9) four grams or more of any fentanyl or fentanyl-related substance, as described in Section 44-53-190 or 44-53-210, or four grams or more of any mixture containing fentanyl or any fentanyl-related substance, is guilty of a felony which is known as "trafficking in fentanyl" and, upon conviction, must be punished as follows if the quantity involved is:

(a) four grams or more, but less than fourteen grams:

1. for a first offense, a term of imprisonment of not less than seven years nor more than twenty-five years, no part of which may be suspended nor probation granted, and a fine of fifty thousand dollars;

2. for a second or subsequent offense, a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of twenty-five years, no part of which may be suspended nor probation granted, and a fine of one hundred thousand dollars;

(b) fourteen grams or more but less than twenty-eight grams, a mandatory term of imprisonment of twenty-five years, no part of which may be suspended nor probation granted, and a fine of two hundred thousand dollars;

(c) twenty-eight grams or more, a mandatory term of imprisonment of not less than twenty-five years nor more than forty years, no part of which may be suspended nor probation granted, and a fine of two hundred thousand dollars.

(f) It shall be unlawful for a person to administer, distribute, dispense, deliver, or aid, abet, attempt, or conspire to administer, distribute, dispense, or deliver a controlled substance or gamma hydroxy butyrate to an individual with the intent to commit one of the following crimes against that individual:

(1) kidnapping, Section 16-3-910;

(2) trafficking in persons, Section 16-3-2020;

(3) criminal sexual conduct in the first, second, or third degree, Sections 16-3-652, 16-3-653, and 16-3-654;

(4) criminal sexual conduct with a minor in the first, second, or third degree, Section 16-3-655;

(5) criminal sexual conduct where victim is legal spouse (separated), Section 16-3-658;

(6) spousal sexual battery, Section 16-3-615;

(7) engaging a child for a sexual performance, Section 16-3-810;

(8) petit larceny, Section 16-13-30 (A); or

(9) grand larceny, Section 16-13-30 (B).

(g) A person who violates subsection (f) with respect to:

(1) a controlled substance classified in Schedule I (B) or (C) which is a narcotic drug or lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), or in Schedule II which is a narcotic drug is guilty of a felony and, upon conviction, must be:

(a) for a first offense, imprisoned not more than twenty years or fined not more than thirty thousand dollars, or both;

(b) for a second offense, or if in the case of a first conviction of a violation of any provision of this subsection, the offender previously has been convicted of a violation of the laws of the United States or of any state, territory, or district relating to narcotic drugs, marijuana, depressant, stimulant, or hallucinogenic drugs, imprisoned not less than five years nor more than thirty years, or fined not more than fifty thousand dollars, or both;

(c) for a third or subsequent offense, or if the offender previously has been convicted two or more times in the aggregate of a violation of the laws of the United States or of any state, territory, or district relating to narcotic drugs, marijuana, depressant, stimulant, or hallucinogenic drugs, imprisoned not less than fifteen years nor more than thirty years, or fined not more than fifty thousand dollars, or both.

Except in the case of conviction for a first offense, the sentence in this item must not be suspended and probation must not be granted;

(2) any other controlled substance or gamma hydroxybutyrate is guilty of a felony and, upon conviction, must be:

(a) for a first offense, imprisoned not more than fifteen years or fined not more than twenty-five thousand dollars, or both;

(b) for a second offense, or if in the case of a first conviction of a violation of any provision of this subsection, the offender previously has been convicted of a violation of the laws of the United States or of any state, territory, or district relating to narcotic drugs, marijuana, depressant, stimulant, or hallucinogenic drugs, imprisoned not more than twenty years or fined not more than thirty thousand dollars, or both;

(c) for a third or subsequent offense, or if the offender previously has been convicted two or more times in the aggregate of a violation of the laws of the United States or of any state, territory, or district relating to narcotic drugs, marijuana, depressant, stimulant, or hallucinogenic drugs, imprisoned not less than five years nor more than twenty-five years, or fined not more than forty thousand dollars, or both.

Except in the case of conviction for a first offense, the sentence in this item must not be suspended and probation must not be granted.

HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 32-1510.49; 1971 (57) 800, 2056; 1974 (58) 2284; 1979 Act No. 118 Section 5; 1981 Act No. 33 Sections 1, 2; 1984 Act No. 482, Section 1; 1988 Act No. 565, Section 1; 1990 Act No. 604, Sections 6, 7; 1993 Act No. 58, Section 1; 1993 Act No. 184, Sections 236-238; 1994 Act No. 497, Part II, Sections 36M, 36N; 1995 Act No. 7, Part I, Section 17; 1998 Act No. 372, Sections 1, 2, 5; 2000 Act No. 355, Sections 5 to 8; 2002 Act No. 267, Sections 2, 3, eff May 20, 2002; 2005 Act No. 127, Section 4, eff June 7, 2005; 2010 Act No. 273, Section 37, eff June 2, 2010; 2010 Act No. 289, Section 12, eff June 11, 2010; 2012 Act No. 255, Section 12, eff June 18, 2012; 2015 Act No. 7 (S.196), Section 6.G, eff April 2, 2015; 2016 Act No. 154 (H.3545), Section 8, eff April 21, 2016; 2023 Act No. 72 (H.3503), Sections 2, 3, eff June 15, 2023.

Code Commissioner's Note

At the direction of the Code Commissioner, references to "Schedule I (b) and (c)" were changed to "Schedule I (B) and (C)" to reflect the amendment of Section 44-53-190 by 2012 Act No. 140, Section 2.

Editor's Note

Section 44-53-160(B) authorizes the Department of Health and Environmental Control to add, delete, or reschedule a substance as a controlled substance when the General Assembly is not in session, and Section 44-53-160(C) requires the department to make such changes to conform to federal law. For a complete and accurate list of controlled substance schedules, please visit the department's website at http://www.scdhec.gov/Health/FHPF/DrugControlRegisterVerify/ControlledSubstanceSchedule/

Effect of Amendment

2023 Act No. 72, Section 2, in (d), inserted (4), redesignated former (4) as (5), and in (5), in the first sentence, inserted "two grains of fentanyl or a fentanyl-related substance as described in Section 44-53-190 or 44-53-210,".

2023 Act No. 72, Section 3, in (e), added (9).

SECTION 44-53-372.Prohibited acts relating to xylazine; penalties.

(A)(1) It is unlawful for any person to knowingly or intentionally produce, manufacture, distribute, or possess with intent to produce, manufacture, or distribute xylazine for a use other than a nonhuman use.

(2) A person who violates the provisions of this subsection is guilty of a felony and, upon conviction, must be imprisoned not more than ten years or fined not more than fifteen thousand dollars, or both.

(B)(1) It is unlawful for any person to knowingly or intentionally possess xylazine.

(2) A person who violates the provisions of this subsection is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be imprisoned not more than one hundred eighty days or fined not more than five hundred dollars, or both.

(C) The provisions of this section do not apply to any of the following:

(1) the production, manufacturing, distribution, or possession of xylazine for use in legitimate veterinary practice;

(2) the production, manufacturing, distribution, or possession of a xylazine bulk chemical for pharmaceutical compounding by a licensed pharmacist or veterinarian for use in a nonhuman species;

(3) the possession of xylazine pursuant to a valid prescription from a licensed veterinarian for use in a nonhuman species; or

(4) the possession of xylazine in an injectable form for use in a nonhuman species.

(D) For purposes of this section, "xylazine" means xylazine and any salt, sulfate, isomer, homologue, analogue, or other preparation of xylazine, and any salt, isomer, compound, derivative, precursor, homologue, analogue, or other preparation thereof that is substantially chemically equivalent or identical to xylazine.

HISTORY: 2024 Act No. 177 (H.4617), Section 2, eff May 20, 2024.

SECTION 44-53-373.Authorized users of xylazine.

Nothing in this article applies to veterinarians in connection with the practice of their profession and the legitimate use of xylazine within the veterinary practice, including:

(A) the distribution or possession of xylazine by a licensed veterinarian for use in legitimate veterinary practice;

(B) the possession of xylazine pursuant to a valid prescription from a licensed veterinarian; or

(C) the possession of xylazine in an injectable form for use in nonhuman species.

HISTORY: 2024 Act No. 177 (H.4617), Section 3, eff May 20, 2024.

SECTION 44-53-375.Possession, manufacture, and trafficking of methamphetamine and cocaine base and other controlled substances; penalties.

(A) A person possessing less than one gram of methamphetamine or cocaine base, as defined in Section 44-53-110, is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction for a first offense, must be imprisoned not more than three years or fined not more than five thousand dollars, or both. For a first offense the court, upon approval of the solicitor, may require as part of a sentence, that the offender enter and successfully complete a drug treatment and rehabilitation program. For a second offense, the offender is guilty of a felony and, upon conviction, must be imprisoned not more than five years or fined not more than seven thousand five hundred dollars, or both. For a third or subsequent offense, the offender is guilty of a felony and, upon conviction, must be imprisoned not more than ten years or fined not more than twelve thousand five hundred dollars, or both. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a person convicted and sentenced pursuant to this subsection may have the sentence suspended and probation granted and is eligible for parole, supervised furlough, community supervision, work release, work credits, education credits, and good conduct credits.

(B) A person who manufactures, distributes, dispenses, delivers, purchases, or otherwise aids, abets, attempts, or conspires to manufacture, distribute, dispense, deliver, or purchase, or possesses with intent to distribute, dispense, or deliver methamphetamine or cocaine base, in violation of the provisions of Section 44-53-370, is guilty of a felony and, upon conviction:

(1) for a first offense, must be sentenced to a term of imprisonment of not more than fifteen years or fined not more than twenty-five thousand dollars, or both;

(2) for a second offense, the offender must be imprisoned for not less than five years nor more than thirty years, or fined not more than fifty thousand dollars, or both;

(3) for a third or subsequent offense, the offender must be imprisoned for not less than ten years nor more than thirty years, or fined not more than fifty thousand dollars, or both.

Possession of one or more grams of methamphetamine or cocaine base is prima facie evidence of a violation of this subsection. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a person convicted and sentenced pursuant to this subsection for a first offense or second offense may have the sentence suspended and probation granted, and is eligible for parole, supervised furlough, community supervision, work release, work credits, education credits, and good conduct credits. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a person convicted and sentenced pursuant to this subsection for a third or subsequent offense in which all prior offenses were for possession of a controlled substance pursuant to subsection (A), may have the sentence suspended and probation granted and is eligible for parole, supervised furlough, community supervision, work release, work credits, education credits, and good conduct credits. In all other cases, the sentence must not be suspended nor probation granted.

(C) A person who knowingly sells, manufactures, delivers, purchases, or brings into this State, or who provides financial assistance or otherwise aids, abets, attempts, or conspires to sell, manufacture, deliver, purchase, or bring into this State, or who is knowingly in actual or constructive possession or who knowingly attempts to become in actual or constructive possession of ten grams or more of methamphetamine or cocaine base, as defined and otherwise limited in Section 44-53-110, 44-53-210(d)(1), or 44-53-210(d)(2), is guilty of a felony which is known as "trafficking in methamphetamine or cocaine base" and, upon conviction, must be punished as follows if the quantity involved is:

(1) ten grams or more, but less than twenty-eight grams:

(a) for a first offense, a term of imprisonment of not less than three years nor more than ten years, no part of which may be suspended nor probation granted, and a fine of twenty-five thousand dollars;

(b) for a second offense, a term of imprisonment of not less than five years nor more than thirty years, no part of which may be suspended nor probation granted, and a fine of fifty thousand dollars;

(c) for a third or subsequent offense, a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of not less than twenty-five years nor more than thirty years, no part of which may be suspended nor probation granted, and a fine of fifty thousand dollars;

(2) twenty-eight grams or more, but less than one hundred grams:

(a) for a first offense, a term of imprisonment of not less than seven years nor more than twenty-five years, no part of which may be suspended nor probation granted, and a fine of fifty thousand dollars;

(b) for a second offense, a term of imprisonment of not less than seven years nor more than thirty years, no part of which may be suspended nor probation granted, and a fine of fifty thousand dollars;

(c) for a third or subsequent offense, a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of not less than twenty-five years and not more than thirty years, no part of which may be suspended nor probation granted, and a fine of fifty thousand dollars;

(3) one hundred grams or more, but less than two hundred grams, a mandatory term of imprisonment of twenty-five years, no part of which may be suspended nor probation granted, and a fine of fifty thousand dollars;

(4) two hundred grams or more, but less than four hundred grams, a mandatory term of imprisonment of twenty-five years, no part of which may be suspended nor probation granted, and a fine of one hundred thousand dollars;

(5) four hundred grams or more, a term of imprisonment of not less than twenty-five years nor more than thirty years with a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of twenty-five years, no part of which may be suspended nor probation granted, and a fine of two hundred thousand dollars.

(D) Possession of equipment or paraphernalia used in the manufacture of cocaine, cocaine base, or methamphetamine is prima facie evidence of intent to manufacture.

(E)(1) It is unlawful for any person, other than a manufacturer, practitioner, dispenser, distributor, or retailer to knowingly possess any product that contains nine grams or more of ephedrine, pseudoephedrine, or phenylpropanolamine, their salts, isomers, or salts of isomers, or a combination of any of these substances. A person who violates this subsection is guilty of a felony known as "trafficking in ephedrine, pseudoephedrine, or phenylpropanolamine, their salts, isomers, or salts of isomers, or a combination of any of these substances" and, upon conviction, must be punished as follows if the quantity involved is:

(a) nine grams or more, but less than twenty-eight grams:

(i) for a first offense, a term of imprisonment of not more than ten years, no part of which may be suspended nor probation granted, and a fine of twenty-five thousand dollars;

(ii) for a second offense, a term of imprisonment of not less than five years nor more than thirty years, no part of which may be suspended nor probation granted, and a fine of fifty thousand dollars;

(iii) for a third or subsequent offense, a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of not less than twenty-five years nor more than thirty years, no part of which may be suspended nor probation granted, and a fine of fifty thousand dollars;

(b) twenty-eight grams or more, but less than one hundred grams:

(i) for a first offense, a term of imprisonment of not less than seven years nor more than twenty-five years, no part of which may be suspended nor probation granted, and a fine of fifty thousand dollars;

(ii) for a second offense, a term of imprisonment of not less than seven years nor more than thirty years, no part of which may be suspended nor probation granted, and a fine of fifty thousand dollars;

(iii) for a third or subsequent offense, a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of not less than twenty-five years and not more than thirty years, no part of which may be suspended nor probation granted, and a fine of fifty thousand dollars;

(c) one hundred grams or more, but less than two hundred grams, a mandatory term of imprisonment of twenty-five years, no part of which may be suspended nor probation granted, and a fine of fifty thousand dollars;

(d) two hundred grams or more, but less than four hundred grams, a mandatory term of imprisonment of twenty-five years, no part of which may be suspended nor probation granted, and a fine of one hundred thousand dollars;

(e) four hundred grams or more, a term of imprisonment of not less than twenty-five years nor more than thirty years with a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of twenty-five years, no part of which may be suspended nor probation granted, and a fine of two hundred thousand dollars.

(2) This subsection does not apply to:

(a) a consumer who possesses products:

(i) containing ephedrine, pseudoephedrine, or phenylpropanolamine in a manner consistent with typical medicinal or household use, as indicated by storage location, and possession of the products in a variety of strengths, brands, types, purposes, and expiration dates; or

(ii) for agricultural use containing anhydrous ammonia if the consumer has reformulated the anhydrous ammonia by means of additive so as effectively to prevent the conversion of the active ingredient into methamphetamine, its salts, isomers, salts of isomers, or its precursors, or the precursors' salts, isomers, or salts of isomers, or a combination of any of these substances; or

(b) products labeled for pediatric use pursuant to federal regulations and according to label instructions primarily intended for administration to children under twelve years of age; or

(c) products that the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Department of Health and Environmental Control, upon application of a manufacturer, exempts because the product is formulated in such a way as to effectively prevent the conversion of the active ingredient into methamphetamine, its salts, isomers, salts of isomers, or its precursors, or the precursors' salts, isomers, or salts of isomers, or a combination of any of these substances.

(3) This subsection preempts all local ordinances or regulations governing the possession of any product that contains ephedrine, pseudoephedrine, or phenylpropanolamine.

(F) Sentences for violation of the provisions of subsections (C) or (E) may not be suspended and probation may not be granted. A person convicted and sentenced under subsection (C) or (E) to a mandatory term of imprisonment of twenty-five years, a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of twenty-five years, or a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of not less than twenty-five years nor more than thirty years is not eligible for parole, extended work release as provided in Section 24-13-610, or supervised furlough as provided in Section 24-13-710.

(G) A person eighteen years of age or older may be charged with unlawful conduct toward a child pursuant to Section 63-5-70, if a child was present at any time during the unlawful manufacturing of methamphetamine.

HISTORY: 1987 Act No. 128 Section 1; 1990 Act No. 604, Section 8; 1993 Act No. 58, Section 2; 1993 Act No. 184, Section 74; 1995 Act No. 7, Part I, Section 18; 2005 Act No. 127, Section 5, eff June 7, 2005; 2010 Act No. 273, Section 38, eff June 2, 2010; 2016 Act No. 154 (H.3545), Section 9, eff April 21, 2016.

Editor's Note

Section 44-53-160(B) authorizes the Department of Health and Environmental Control to add, delete, or reschedule a substance as a controlled substance when the General Assembly is not in session, and Section 44-53-160(C) requires the department to make such changes to conform to federal law. For a complete and accurate list of controlled substance schedules, please visit the department's website at http://www.scdhec.gov/Health/FHPF/DrugControlRegisterVerify/ControlledSubstanceSchedule/

SECTION 44-53-376.Disposal of waste from production of methamphetamine; penalty; emergency or environmental response restitution; exemptions.

(A) It is unlawful for a person to knowingly cause to be disposed any waste from the production of methamphetamine or knowingly assist, solicit, or conspire with another to dispose of methamphetamine waste.

(B) A person who violates subsection (A) is guilty of a felony and, upon conviction for a first offense, must be imprisoned not more than five years or fined not more than five thousand dollars, or both. Upon conviction for a second or subsequent offense, a person must be imprisoned not more than ten years or fined not more than ten thousand dollars, or both.

(C) If a person is convicted of a violation of this section, in a manner that requires an emergency or environmental response, the person convicted must be required to make restitution to all public entities involved in the emergency response, to cover the reasonable cost of their participation in the emergency response. The convicted person shall make the restitution in addition to any other fine or penalty required by law.

(D) Exempt from the provisions of this section are the individuals, entities, agencies, law enforcement groups, and those otherwise authorized, who are lawfully tasked with the proper disposal of the waste created from methamphetamine production.

HISTORY: 2006 Act No. 275, Section 3, eff 6 months after approval (became law without the Governor's signature on May 4, 2006).

SECTION 44-53-378.Exposing child to methamphetamine.

(A) It is unlawful for a person who is eighteen years of age or older to:

(1) either directly or by extraction from natural substances, or independently by means of chemical processes, or both, unlawfully manufacture amphetamine, its salts, isomers, or salts of isomers, or methamphetamine, its salts, isomers, or salts of its isomers in the presence of a minor child; or

(2) knowingly permit a child to be in an environment where a person is selling, offering for sale, or having in such person's possession with intent to sell, deliver, distribute, prescribe, administer, dispense, manufacture, or attempt to manufacture amphetamine or methamphetamine; or

(3) knowingly permit a child to be in an environment where drug paraphernalia or volatile, toxic, or flammable chemicals are stored for the purpose of manufacturing or attempting to manufacture amphetamine or methamphetamine.

(B) A person who violates subsection (A)(1), (2), or (3), upon conviction, for a first offense must be imprisoned not more than five years or fined not more than five thousand dollars, or both. Upon conviction for a second or subsequent offense, the person must be imprisoned not more than ten years or fined not more than ten thousand dollars, or both.

HISTORY: 2008 Act No. 361, Section 5, eff June 16, 2008.

Editor's Note

This section was formerly Section 20-7-105.

Section 44-53-160(B) authorizes the Department of Health and Environmental Control to add, delete, or reschedule a substance as a controlled substance when the General Assembly is not in session, and Section 44-53-160(C) requires the department to make such changes to conform to federal law. For a complete and accurate list of controlled substance schedules, please visit the department's website at http://www.scdhec.gov/Health/FHPF/DrugControlRegisterVerify/ControlledSubstanceSchedule/

SECTION 44-53-379.Felony possession of a firearm.

(A) It is unlawful for a person who has been convicted of possession with intent to distribute, distribution or delivery of, manufacturing of, or trafficking in a controlled substance as defined in Sections 44-53-370 and 44-53-375, to possess a firearm or ammunition within this State.

(B) A person who violates the provisions of this section is guilty of a felony and, upon conviction, must be fined not more than two thousand dollars or imprisoned not more than five years, or both.

(C)(1) In addition to the penalty provided in this section, the firearm or ammunition involved in the violation of this section must be confiscated. The firearm or ammunition must be delivered to the chief of police of the municipality or to the sheriff of the county if the violation occurred outside the corporate limits of a municipality. The law enforcement agency that receives the confiscated firearm or ammunition may use it within the agency, transfer it to another law enforcement agency for the lawful use of that agency, trade it with a retail dealer licensed to sell firearms or ammunition in this State for a firearm, ammunition, or any other equipment approved by the agency, or destroy it. A firearm or ammunition must not be disposed of in any manner until the results of any legal proceeding in which it may be involved are finally determined. If the State Law Enforcement Division seized the firearm or ammunition, the division may keep the firearm or ammunition for use by its forensic laboratory. Records must be kept of all confiscated firearms or ammunition received by the law enforcement agencies under the provisions of this section.

(2) A law enforcement agency that receives a firearm or ammunition pursuant to this section shall administratively release the firearm or ammunition to an innocent owner. The firearm or ammunition must not be released to the innocent owner until the results of any legal proceedings in which the firearm or ammunition may be involved are finally determined. Before the firearm or ammunition may be released, the innocent owner shall provide the law enforcement agency with proof of ownership and shall certify that the innocent owner will not release the firearm or ammunition to the person who has been charged with a violation of this section which resulted in the confiscation of the firearm or ammunition. The law enforcement agency shall notify the innocent owner when the firearm or ammunition is available for release. If the innocent owner fails to recover the firearm or ammunition within thirty days after notification of the release, the law enforcement agency may maintain or dispose of the firearm or ammunition as otherwise provided in this section.

(D) The court with jurisdiction over an offense, as defined by subsections (A) or (B), shall make a specific finding on the record that the conviction is for possession with intent to distribute, distribution or delivery of, manufacturing of, or trafficking in a controlled substance as defined in Sections 44-53-370 and 44-53-375, and the person would be subject to the prohibitions of this section. A judge's failure to make a specific finding on the record does not bar or otherwise affect prosecution pursuant to this subsection and does not constitute a defense to prosecution pursuant to this subsection.

HISTORY: 2023 Act No. 72 (H.3503), Section 6, eff June 15, 2023.

SECTION 44-53-380.Prohibited acts B; penalties.

(a) It shall be unlawful for any person:

(1) Who is subject to the requirements of Sections 44-53-280 to 44-53-360 to distribute or dispense a controlled substance in violation of Section 44-53-360;

(2) Who is a registrant to manufacture, distribute, or dispense a controlled substance not authorized by his registration to another registrant or other authorized person;

(3) To omit, remove, alter, or obliterate a symbol required by the Federal Controlled Substances Act or this article;

(4) To refuse or fail to make, keep, or furnish any record, notification, order form, statement, invoice, or information required under this article;

(5) To refuse any entry into any premises or inspection authorized by this article;

(6) Knowingly to keep or maintain any store, shop, warehouse, dwelling house, building, vehicle, boat, aircraft, or any place whatever, which is resorted to by persons using controlled substances in violation of this article for the purpose of using such substances, or which is used for the keeping or selling of the same in violation of this article; or

(7) Who is subject to the requirements of this article to fail to register as provided in Section 44-53-280 to manufacture, distribute, or dispense controlled substances prior to his engaging in such manufacturing, distribution, or dispensing.

(b) Any person who violates this section is punishable by a civil fine of not more than one thousand dollars; provided, that, if the violation is prosecuted by an information or indictment which alleges that the violation was committed knowingly or intentionally, and the trier of fact specifically finds that the violation was committed knowingly or intentionally, such person shall be deemed guilty of a felony and, upon conviction, shall be imprisoned for not more than five years, or fined not more than ten thousand dollars, except that if such person is a corporation it shall be subject to a civil penalty of not more than one hundred thousand dollars. Imposition of a civil penalty pursuant to this item shall not give rise to any disability or legal disadvantage based on conviction for a criminal offense.

HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 32-1510.50; 1971 (57) 800; 1975 (59) 104.

Editor's Note

Section 44-53-160(B) authorizes the Department of Health and Environmental Control to add, delete, or reschedule a substance as a controlled substance when the General Assembly is not in session, and Section 44-53-160(C) requires the department to make such changes to conform to federal law. For a complete and accurate list of controlled substance schedules, please visit the department's website at http://www.scdhec.gov/Health/FHPF/DrugControlRegisterVerify/ControlledSubstanceSchedule/

SECTION 44-53-390.Prohibited acts C; penalties.

(a) It is unlawful for a person knowingly or intentionally to:

(1) distribute as a registrant a controlled substance classified in Schedules I or II, except pursuant to an order form as required by Section 44-53-350;

(2) use in the course of the manufacture or distribution of a controlled substance a registration number which is fictitious, revoked, suspended, or issued to another person;

(3) acquire or obtain possession of a controlled substance by misrepresentation, fraud, forgery, deception, or subterfuge;

(4) furnish false or fraudulent material information in, or omit any material information from, any application, report, or other document required to be kept or filed under this article, or any record required to be kept by this article;

(5) make, distribute, or possess any punch, die, plate, stone, or other thing designed to print, imprint, or reproduce the trademark, trade name, or other identifying mark, imprint, or device of another or any likeness of any of the foregoing upon any drug or container or labeling so as to render the drug a counterfeit substance;

(6) distribute or deliver a noncontrolled substance or an imitation controlled substance:

(A) with the expressed or implied representation that the substance is a narcotic or nonnarcotic controlled substance, or with the expressed or implied representation that the substance is of such nature or appearance that the recipient of the distribution or delivery will be able to dispose of the substance as a controlled substance;

(B) when the physical appearance of the finished product is substantially similar to a specific controlled substance, or if in a tablet or capsule dosage form as a finished product it is similar in color, shape, and size to any controlled substances' dosage form, or its finished dosage form has similar, but not necessarily identical, markings on each dosage unit as any controlled substances' dosage form, or if its finished dosage form container bears similar, but not necessarily identical, markings or printed material as any controlled substances which is commercially manufactured and commercially packaged by a manufacturer or repackager registered under the provisions of Title 21, Section 823 of the United States Code. In any prosecution for unlawful delivery of a noncontrolled substance, it is no defense that the accused believed the noncontrolled substance to actually be a controlled substance.

(b) A person who violates this section is guilty of a felony and, upon conviction, must be imprisoned not more than five years, or fined not more than ten thousand dollars, or both. If such person is a corporation, it is subject to a civil penalty of not more than one hundred thousand dollars.

(c) The provisions of Section 44-53-390(a)(6) do not apply to any transaction in the ordinary course of professional practice of a practitioner registered to dispense controlled substances under this article, nor do they apply to a pharmacy acting in the normal course of business, or pursuant to the lawful order of a placebo prescription.

HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 32-1510.51; 1971 (57) 800; 1982 Act No. 427, Section 2; 1993 Act No. 184, Section 75.

Editor's Note

Section 44-53-160(B) authorizes the Department of Health and Environmental Control to add, delete, or reschedule a substance as a controlled substance when the General Assembly is not in session, and Section 44-53-160(C) requires the department to make such changes to conform to federal law. For a complete and accurate list of controlled substance schedules, please visit the department's website at http://www.scdhec.gov/Health/FHPF/DrugControlRegisterVerify/ControlledSubstanceSchedule/

SECTION 44-53-391.Unlawful to advertise for sale, manufacture, possess, sell or deliver, or to possess with intent to sell or deliver, paraphernalia.

(a) It shall be unlawful for any person to advertise for sale, manufacture, possess, sell or deliver, or to possess with the intent to deliver, or sell paraphernalia.

(b) In determining whether an object is paraphernalia, a court or other authority shall consider, in addition to all other logically relevant factors, the following:

(1) Statements by an owner or by anyone in control of the object concerning its use;

(2) The proximity of the object to controlled substances;

(3) The existence of any residue of controlled substances on the object;

(4) Direct or circumstantial evidence of the intent of an owner, or of anyone in control of the object, to deliver it to persons whom he knows, or should reasonably know, intend to use the object to facilitate a violation of law; the innocence of an owner, or of anyone in control of the object, as to a direct violation of law shall not prevent a finding that the object is intended for use, or designed for use as drug paraphernalia;

(5) Instructions, oral or written, provided with the object concerning its use;

(6) Descriptive materials accompanying the object which explain or depict its use;

(7) National and local advertising concerning it use;

(8) The manner in which the object is displayed for sale;

(9) Whether the owner, or anyone in control of the object, is a legitimate supplier of like or related items to the community, such as a licensed distributor or dealer of tobacco products;

(10) Direct or circumstantial evidence of the ratio of sales of the object to the total sales of the business enterprise;

(11) The existence and scope of legitimate uses for the object in the community;

(12) Expert testimony concerning its use.

(c) Any person found guilty of violating the provisions of this section shall be subject to a civil fine of not more than five hundred dollars except that a corporation shall be subject to a civil fine of not more than fifty thousand dollars. Imposition of such fine shall not give rise to any disability or legal disadvantage based on conviction for a criminal offense.

HISTORY: 1982 Act No. 400, Section 2.

SECTION 44-53-392.Weight of controlled substance.

Notwithstanding any other provision of this article, the weight of any controlled substance referenced in this article is the weight of that substance in pure form or any compound or mixture thereof.

HISTORY: 1990 Act No. 604, Section 9.

SECTION 44-53-393.Drug paraphernalia.

Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, the term "drug paraphernalia" as defined in Section 44-53-110 shall not include rapid fentanyl test strips or any testing equipment or devices solely used, intended for use, or designed to determine whether a substance contains fentanyl or its analogues.

HISTORY: 2023 Act No. 72 (H.3503), Section 4, eff June 15, 2023.

SECTION 44-53-395.Prohibited acts; penalties.

(A) It shall be unlawful:

(1) for any practitioner to issue any prescription document signed in blank. The issuance of such document signed in blank shall be prima facie evidence of a conspiracy to violate this section. The possession of prescription document signed in blank by a person other than the person whose signature appears thereon shall be deemed prima facie evidence of a conspiracy between the possessor and the signer to violate the provisions of this section;

(2) for any person other than a practitioner registered with the Department under this article to possess a blank prescription not completed and signed by the practitioner whose name appears printed thereon;

(3) for any person to withhold the information from a practitioner that such person is obtaining controlled substances of like therapeutic use in a concurrent time period from another practitioner.

(B) Any person who knowingly and intentionally violates this section a first time shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction shall be punished by a term of imprisonment for not more than two years or by a fine of not more than two thousand dollars, or both. Any person who knowingly and intentionally violates this section a second or subsequent time shall be deemed guilty of a felony and upon conviction shall be punished by a term of imprisonment for not more than five years.

HISTORY: 1978 Act No. 546, Section 2.

SECTION 44-53-398.Sale of products containing ephedrine or pseudoephedrine; penalties; training of sales personnel.

(A) Nonprescription products whose sole active ingredient is ephedrine, pseudoephedrine, or phenylpropanolamine may be offered for retail sale only if sold in blister packaging. The retailer shall ensure that such products are not offered for retail sale by self-service but only from behind a counter or other barrier so that such products are not directly accessible by the public but only by an employee or agent of the retailer.

(B)(1) A retailer may not sell to an individual in any single day a nonprescription product or a combination of nonprescription products containing more than 3.6 grams of ephedrine, pseudoephedrine, or phenylpropanolamine; and a retailer may not sell to an individual in a thirty-day period a nonprescription product or a combination of nonprescription products containing more than nine grams of ephedrine, pseudoephedrine, or phenylpropanolamine.

(2) An individual may not purchase in any single day a nonprescription product or a combination of nonprescription products containing more than 3.6 grams of ephedrine, pseudoephedrine, or phenylpropanolamine; and an individual may not purchase in a thirty-day period a nonprescription product or a combination of nonprescription products containing more than nine grams of ephedrine, pseudoephedrine, or phenylpropanolamine.

(C) It is unlawful for a retailer to purchase any product containing ephedrine, pseudoephedrine, or phenylpropanolamine from any person or entity other than a manufacturer or a wholesale distributor registered by the United States Drug Enforcement Administration.

(D)(1) A retailer selling nonprescription products containing ephedrine, pseudoephedrine, or phenylpropanolamine shall require the purchaser to produce a government issued photo identification showing the date of birth of the person and require the purchaser to sign an electronic log showing the date and time of the transaction, the person's name and address, the type, issuing governmental entity, identification number, and the amount of the compound, mixture, or preparation. The retailer shall determine that the name entered in the log corresponds to the name on the identification and that the date and time entered are correct and shall enter in the log the name of the product and the quantity sold. The retailer shall ensure that the product is delivered directly into the custody of that purchaser. The log must include a notice to purchasers that entering false statements or misrepresentations in the log may subject the purchaser to criminal penalties.

(2) Before completing a sale of a product regulated by this section, the retailer electronically shall transmit the information entered in the log to a data collection system provided by the National Association of Drug Diversion Investigators, or a successor or similar entity. The system must collect this data in real time and generate a stop sale alert if the sale would result in a violation of subsection (B) or a federal quantity restriction, which must be assessed on the basis of sales or purchases made in any state to the extent that information is available in the data collection system. If the retailer receives a stop sale alert, the retailer must not complete the sale unless the retailer, upon notifying the purchaser the sale cannot be completed, reasonably fears bodily harm if he denies the sale due to the stop sale alert. A product regulated by this section may not be sold without being reported to the data collection system unless the system is experiencing temporary technical difficulties that prevent a retailer from reporting the information to the system, and in that case, the retailer shall enter the necessary information in a written log, which must subsequently be entered into the electronic log within three business days of each business day that the electronic log was not operational. A retailer using a written log under these circumstances is immune from liability during the time the system is temporarily disabled.

(3) Any information entered in the electronic log that is retained by a retailer, or information maintained by a retailer pursuant to subsection (J)(2), is confidential and not a public record as defined in Section 30-4-20(C) of the Freedom of Information Act. A retailer or an employee or agent of a retailer who in good faith releases information in a log to federal, state, or local law enforcement authorities is immune from civil liability for the release unless the release constitutes gross negligence or intentional, wanton, or wilful misrepresentation.

(E) Except as authorized by this section, it is unlawful for any person to possess, have under his or her control, manufacture, deliver, distribute, dispense, administer, purchase, sell, or possess with intent to distribute, any substance containing any amount of ephedrine, pseudoephedrine, or phenylpropanolamine or any of their salts, optical isomers, or salts of optical isomers which have been altered from their original condition so as to be powdered, liquefied, dissolved, solvated, or crushed. This subsection does not apply to any of the substances identified within this subsection which are possessed or altered for a legitimate medical purpose as directed by a person licensed under Title 40 and authorized to prescribe legend drugs.

(F) It is unlawful for a person to enter false statements or misrepresentations on the log required pursuant to subsection (D)(1).

(G) This section preempts all local ordinances or regulations governing the retail sale or purchase of nonprescription products containing ephedrine, pseudoephedrine, or phenylpropanolamine except such local ordinances or regulations that existed on or before December 31, 2004.

(H)(1) Except as otherwise provided in this section, it is unlawful for a retailer knowingly to violate subsection (A), (B)(1), (C), (D)(1), or (D)(2), and it is unlawful for a person knowingly to violate subsection (B)(2), (E), or (F).

(2) A retailer convicted of a violation of subsection (A) or (B)(1) is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction for a first offense, must be fined not more than five thousand dollars and, upon conviction for a second or subsequent offense, must be fined not more than ten thousand dollars.

(3) A retailer convicted of a violation of subsection (C) is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction for a first offense, must be imprisoned not more than one year or fined not more than one thousand dollars, or both and, upon conviction for a second or subsequent offense, must be imprisoned not more than three years or fined not more than five thousand dollars, or both.

(4) A retailer convicted of a violation of subsection (D)(1), (D)(2), or (J)(2) is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction for a first offense, must be fined not more than one thousand dollars and not less than five hundred dollars. Upon conviction for a second offense, a retailer must be fined not more than five thousand dollars and not less than one thousand dollars. Upon conviction for a third or subsequent offense, a person must be fined not more than ten thousand dollars and not less than five thousand dollars.

(5) A person convicted of a violation of subsection (B)(2) or (E) is guilty of a felony and, upon conviction for a first offense, must be imprisoned not more than five years and fined not more than five thousand dollars. The court, upon approval from the solicitor, may request as part of the sentence, that the offender enter and successfully complete a drug treatment program. For a second or subsequent offense, the offender is guilty of a felony and, upon conviction, must be imprisoned not more than ten years or fined not less than ten thousand dollars.

(6) A person convicted of a violation of subsection (F), upon conviction for a first offense, is guilty of a misdemeanor and must be fined not more than one thousand dollars and, upon conviction for a second or subsequent offense, is guilty of a felony and must be fined not more than five thousand dollars.

(7) It is an affirmative defense to a violation of subsection (A), (C), or (D)(1) if a retailer provided the training, maintained records, and obtained employee and agent statements of agreement required by subsection (I) for all employees and agents at the retail location where the violation occurred and at the time the violation occurred.

(8) It is an affirmative defense to completing a sale following receipt of a stop sale alert received pursuant to subsection (D)(2) if the retailer, upon notifying the purchaser the sale cannot be completed, reasonably fears bodily harm if he denies the sale due to the stop sale alert.

(I) A retailer shall provide training on the requirements of this section to all agents and employees who are responsible for delivering the products regulated by this section into the custody of purchasers or who deal directly with purchasers by obtaining payments for the products. A retailer shall obtain a signed, written agreement from each employee or agent that the employee or agent agrees to comply with the requirements of this section. The retailer shall maintain records demonstrating that these employees and agents have been provided this training and the documents executed by the retailer's employees and agents agreeing to comply with this section.

(J)(1) The following are exempt from the electronic log requirements of this section but shall maintain a written log containing the information required to be entered in the electronic log, as provided for in subsection (D)(1):

(a) a retailer that only sells single dose packages of nonprescription ephedrine, pseudoephedrine, or phenylpropanolamine;

(b) a pharmacy that does not have a compatible point of sale system.

(2) A retailer who maintains a written log pursuant to this subsection shall retain the written log for two years after which the log may be destroyed. The log must be made available for inspection within twenty-four hours of a request made by a local, state, or federal law enforcement officer.

(3) A retailer who violates the requirements of maintaining a written log as provided for in subsection (J)(2) is subject to the penalties provided for in subsection (H)(4).

(K) The sheriff or chief of police shall monitor and determine if retailers, other than licensed pharmacies, are in compliance with the provisions of this section by ensuring that a retailer:

(1) is entering all sales of a product regulated by this section in an electronic log as required by this section;

(2) if not maintaining an electronic log, is exempt as provided for in subsection (J)(1), and is continuing to maintain the written log as provided for in subsection (J);

(3) is not selling products regulated by this section.

(L) This section does not apply to:

(1) pediatric products labeled pursuant to federal regulation as primarily intended for administration to children under twelve years of age according to label instructions;

(2) products that the Board of Pharmacy, upon application of a manufacturer, exempts because the product is formulated in such a way as to effectively prevent the conversion of the active ingredient into methamphetamine or its salts or precursors; and

(3) a purchase of a single sales package containing not more than sixty milligrams of pseudoephedrine.

(M) For purposes of this section "retailer" means a retail distributor, including a pharmacy, where ephedrine, pseudoephedrine, or phenylpropanolamine products are available for sale and does not include an employee or agent of a retailer.

HISTORY: 2006 Act No. 275, Section 1, eff 6 months after approval (became law without the Governor's signature on May 4, 2006); 2010 Act No. 242, Section 1, eff July 1, 2010.

Editor's Note

2010 Act No. 242, Section 3, provides as follows:

"Before January 1, 2011, the State Law Enforcement Division (SLED) shall enter into a memorandum of agreement with the National Association of Drug Diversion Investigators (NADDI), or a successor or other entity, to identify the roles and responsibilities of SLED and NADDI, or a successor or other entity, in carrying out the collection of sales and purchase data of ephedrine, pseudoephedrine, or phenylpropanolamine products and the transference of this information to the State Law Enforcement Division as provided for in this act. The memorandum must provide that the data and information in SLED's electronic monitoring system is property of the State and that NADDI will provide SLED with that data and information at least four times a year in a format agreed to by SLED and NADDI and that is consistent with the most recent standards adopted by the American Society for Automation in Pharmacy (ASAP), as well as the most recent standards adopted by the National Information Exchange Model (NIEM)."

SECTION 44-53-400.Penalties in article in addition to those under other laws.

Any penalty imposed for violation of this article shall be in addition to, and not in lieu of, any civil or administrative penalty or sanction otherwise authorized by law.

HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 32-1510.52; 1971 (57) 800.

SECTION 44-53-410.Prosecution in another jurisdiction shall be bar to prosecution.

If a violation of this article is a violation of a Federal law or the law of another state, the conviction or acquittal under Federal law or the law of another state for the same act is a bar to prosecution in this State.

HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 32-1510.53; 1971 (57) 800.

SECTION 44-53-420.Attempt and conspiracy; attempt to possess; penalties.

(A) Except as provided in subsection (B), a person who attempts or conspires to commit an offense made unlawful by the provisions of this article, upon conviction, be fined or imprisoned in the same manner as for the offense planned or attempted; but the fine or imprisonment shall not exceed one half of the punishment prescribed for the offense, the commission of which was the object of the attempt or conspiracy.

(B) A person who attempts to possess a substance made unlawful by the provisions of this article is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be fined not more than five hundred dollars or imprisoned not more than thirty days, or both.

HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 32-1510.54; 1971 (57) 800; 2005 Act No. 127, Section 7, eff June 7, 2005.

SECTION 44-53-430.Appeals from orders of Department.

Any person may appeal from any order of the Department within thirty days after the filing of the order, to the court of common pleas of the county in which the aggrieved party resides or in which his place of business is located. The Department shall thereupon certify to the court the record in the hearing. The court shall review the record and the regularity and the justification for the order, on the merits, and render judgment thereon as in ordinary appeals in equity. The court may order or permit further testimony on the merits of the case, in its discretion such testimony to be given either before the judge or referee by him appointed. From such judgment of the court an appeal may be taken as in other civil actions.

HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 32-1510.55; 1971 (57) 800.

SECTION 44-53-440.Distribution to persons under eighteen.

Any person eighteen years of age or over who violates Section 44-53-370(a) by distributing a controlled substance classified in Schedule I (B) and (C) which is a narcotic drug or lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) and in Schedule II which is a narcotic drug, or who violates Section 44-53-375(B) by distributing crack cocaine to a person under eighteen years of age is guilty of a felony and, upon conviction, must be imprisoned for not more than twenty years or fined not more than thirty thousand dollars, or both, and the sentence may not be suspended and probation may not be granted. Any person eighteen years of age or over who violates Section 44-53-370(a) and (b) by distributing any other controlled substance listed in Schedules I through V to a person under eighteen years of age is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be imprisoned for not more than ten years or fined not more than ten thousand dollars, or both. Any violation of this section constitutes a separate offense.

HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 32-1510.56; 1971 (57) 800; 1974 (58) 2284; 1987 Act No. 128, Section 3.

Code Commissioner's Note

At the direction of the Code Commissioner, references to "Schedule I (b) and (c)" were changed to "Schedule I (B) and (C)" to reflect the amendment of Section 44-53-190 by 2012 Act No. 140, Section 2.

Editor's Note

Section 44-53-160(B) authorizes the Department of Health and Environmental Control to add, delete, or reschedule a substance as a controlled substance when the General Assembly is not in session, and Section 44-53-160(C) requires the department to make such changes to conform to federal law. For a complete and accurate list of controlled substance schedules, please visit the department's website at http://www.scdhec.gov/Health/FHPF/DrugControlRegisterVerify/ControlledSubstanceSchedule/

SECTION 44-53-445.Distribution of controlled substance within proximity of school.

(A) It is a separate criminal offense for a person to distribute, sell, purchase, manufacture, or to unlawfully possess with intent to distribute, a controlled substance while in, on, or within a one-half mile radius of the grounds of a public or private elementary, middle, or secondary school; a public playground or park; a public vocational or trade school or technical educational center; or a public or private college or university.

(B) For a person to be convicted of an offense pursuant to subsection (A), the person must:

(1) have knowledge that he is in, on, or within a one-half mile radius of the grounds of a public or private elementary, middle, or secondary school; a public playground or park; a public vocational or trade school or technical educational center; or a public or private college or university; and

(2) actually distribute, sell, purchase, manufacture, or unlawfully possess with intent to distribute, the controlled substance within a one-half mile radius of the grounds of a public or private elementary, middle, or secondary school; a public playground or park; a public vocational or trade school or technical educational center; or a public or private college or university.

(C) A person must not be convicted of an offense pursuant to subsection (A) if the person is stopped by a law enforcement officer for the controlled substance offense within a one-half mile radius of the grounds of a public or private elementary, middle, or secondary school; a public playground or park; a public vocational or trade school or technical educational center; or a public or private college or university, but did not actually commit the controlled substance offense within a one-half mile radius of the grounds of a public or private elementary, middle, or secondary school; a public playground or park; a public vocational or trade school or technical educational center; or a public or private college or university.

(D)(1) A person who violates the provisions of this section is guilty of a felony and, upon conviction, must be fined not more than ten thousand dollars, or imprisoned not more than ten years, or both.

(2) When a violation involves only the purchase of a controlled substance, the person is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be fined not more than one thousand dollars or imprisoned not more than one year, or both.

(E) For the purpose of creating inferences of intent to distribute, the inferences set out in Sections 44-53-370 and 44-53-375 apply to criminal prosecutions under this section.

HISTORY: 1984 Act No. 504, Section 2; 1987 Act No. 128, Section 4; 1990 Act No. 579, Section 2; 1993 Act No. 184, Section 76; 1995 Act No. 83, Section 55; 2010 Act No. 273, Section 39, eff June 2, 2010.

Editor's Note

Section 44-53-160(B) authorizes the Department of Health and Environmental Control to add, delete, or reschedule a substance as a controlled substance when the General Assembly is not in session, and Section 44-53-160(C) requires the department to make such changes to conform to federal law. For a complete and accurate list of controlled substance schedules, please visit the department's website at http://www.scdhec.gov/Health/FHPF/DrugControlRegisterVerify/ControlledSubstanceSchedule/

SECTION 44-53-450.Conditional discharge; eligibility for expungement.

(A) Whenever any person who has not previously been convicted of any offense under this article or any offense under any state or federal statute relating to marijuana, or stimulant, depressant, or hallucinogenic drugs, pleads guilty to or is found guilty of possession of a controlled substance under Section 44-53-370(c) and (d), or Section 44-53-375(A), the court, without entering a judgment of guilt and with the consent of the accused, may defer further proceedings and place him on probation upon terms and conditions as it requires, including the requirement that such person cooperate in a treatment and rehabilitation program of a state-supported facility or a facility approved by the commission, if available. Upon violation of a term or condition, the court may enter an adjudication of guilt and proceed as otherwise provided. Upon fulfillment of the terms and conditions, the court shall discharge the person and dismiss the proceedings against him. Discharge and dismissal under this section shall be without court adjudication of guilt and is not a conviction for purposes of this section or for purposes of disqualifications or disabilities imposed by law upon conviction of a crime, including the additional penalties imposed for second or subsequent convictions. However, a nonpublic record shall be forwarded to and retained by the Department of Narcotic and Dangerous Drugs under the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division solely for the purpose of use by the courts in determining whether or not a person has committed a subsequent offense under this article. Discharge and dismissal under this section may occur only once with respect to any person.

(B) Upon the dismissal of the person and discharge of the proceedings against him pursuant to subsection (A), the person may apply to the court for an order to expunge from all official records (other than the nonpublic records to be retained as provided in subsection (A)) all recordation relating to his arrest, indictment or information, trial, finding of guilty, and dismissal and discharge pursuant to this section. If the court determines, after hearing, that the person was dismissed and the proceedings against him discharged, it shall enter the order. The effect of the order is to restore the person, in the contemplation of the law, to the status he occupied before the arrest or indictment or information. No person as to whom the order has been entered may be held pursuant to another provision of law to be guilty of perjury or otherwise giving a false statement by reason of his failure to recite or acknowledge the arrest, or indictment or information, or trial in response to an inquiry made of him for any purpose.

(C) Before a person may be discharged and the proceedings dismissed pursuant to this section, the person must pay a fee of three hundred fifty dollars if the person is in a general sessions court and one hundred fifty dollars if the person is in a summary court. No portion of the fee may be waived, reduced, or suspended, except in cases of indigency. If the court determines that a person is indigent, the court may partially or totally waive, reduce, or suspend the fee. The revenue collected pursuant to this subsection must be retained by the jurisdiction that heard or processed the case and paid to the State Treasurer within thirty days of receipt. The State Treasurer shall transmit these funds to the Prosecution Coordination Commission which shall then apportion these funds among the sixteen judicial circuits on a per capita basis equal to the population in that circuit compared to the population of the State as a whole based on the most recent official United States census. The funds must be used for drug treatment court programs only. The amounts generated by this subsection are in addition to any amounts presently being provided for drug treatment court programs and may not be used to supplant funding already allocated for these services. The State Treasurer may request the State Auditor to examine the financial records of a jurisdiction which he believes is not timely transmitting the funds required to be paid to the State Treasurer pursuant to this subsection. The State Auditor is further authorized to conduct these examinations and the local jurisdiction is required to participate in and cooperate fully with the examination.

HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 32-1510.57; 1971 (57) 800; 1974 (58) 2284; 2009 Act No. 36, Section 7, eff June 2, 2009; 2010 Act No. 273, Section 40, eff June 2, 2010.

SECTION 44-53-460.Reduced sentence for accommodation offenses.

Any person who enters a plea of guilty to or is found guilty of a violation of Section 44-53-370(a) or (c) may move for and the court shall grant a further hearing at which evidence may be presented by the person, and by the prosecution if it so desires, relating to the nature of the act on the basis of which the person has been convicted. If the convicted person establishes by clear and convincing evidence that he delivered or possessed with intent to deliver a controlled substance, except a controlled substance classified in Schedule I (B) and (C) which is a narcotic drug or lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) and in Schedule II which is a narcotic drug, only as an accommodation to another individual and not with intent to profit thereby nor to induce the recipient or intended recipient of the controlled or counterfeit substance to use or become addicted to or dependent upon the substance, the court shall sentence the person as if he had been convicted of a violation of Section 44-53-370(c).

HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 32-1510.58; 1971 (57) 800; 1974 (58) 2284.

Code Commissioner's Note

At the direction of the Code Commissioner, references to "Schedule I (b) and (c)" were changed to "Schedule I (B) and (C)" to reflect the amendment of Section 44-53-190 by 2012 Act No. 140, Section 2.

SECTION 44-53-470."Second or subsequent offense" defined; certain convictions considered prior offenses.

(A) An offense is considered a second or subsequent offense if:

(1) for an offense involving marijuana pursuant to the provisions of this article, the offender has been convicted within the previous five years of a first violation of a marijuana possession provision of this article or of another state or federal statute relating to marijuana possession;

(2) for an offense involving marijuana pursuant to the provisions of this article, the offender has at any time been convicted of a first, second, or subsequent violation of a marijuana offense provision of this article or of another state or federal statute relating to marijuana offenses, except a first violation of a marijuana possession provision of this article or of another state or federal statute relating to marijuana offenses;

(3) for an offense involving a controlled substance other than marijuana pursuant to this article, the offender has been convicted within the previous ten years of a first violation of a controlled substance offense provision, other than a marijuana offense provision, of this article or of another state or federal statute relating to narcotic drugs, depressants, stimulants, or hallucinogenic drugs; and

(4) for an offense involving a controlled substance other than marijuana pursuant to this article, the offender has at any time been convicted of a second or subsequent violation of a controlled substance offense provision, other than a marijuana offense provision, of this article or of another state or federal statute relating to narcotic drugs, depressants, stimulants, or hallucinogenic drugs.

(B) In addition to the above provisions, a conviction of trafficking in marijuana or trafficking in any other controlled substance in violation of this article or of another state or federal statute relating to trafficking in controlled substances must be considered a prior offense for purposes of any prosecution pursuant to this article.

(C) If a person is sentenced to confinement as the result of a conviction pursuant to this article, the time period specified in this section begins on the date of the conviction or on the date the person is released from confinement imposed for the conviction, whichever is later. For purposes of this section, confinement includes incarceration and supervised release, including, but not limited to, probation, parole, house arrest, community supervision, work release, and supervised furlough.

HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 32-1510.59; 1971 (57) 800; 2005 Act No. 127, Section 6, eff June 7, 2005; 2010 Act No. 273, Section 41, eff June 2, 2010; 2016 Act No. 154 (H.3545), Section 10, eff April 21, 2016.

Editor's Note

Section 44-53-160(B) authorizes the Department of Health and Environmental Control to add, delete, or reschedule a substance as a controlled substance when the General Assembly is not in session, and Section 44-53-160(C) requires the department to make such changes to conform to federal law. For a complete and accurate list of controlled substance schedules, please visit the department's website at http://www.scdhec.gov/Health/FHPF/DrugControlRegisterVerify/ControlledSubstanceSchedule/

SECTION 44-53-475.Financial transactions, monetary instruments, or financial institutions involving property or proceeds of unlawful activities in narcotic drugs or controlled substances; penalties.

(A)(1) Whoever, knowing that the property involved in a financial transaction represents the proceeds of, or is derived directly or indirectly from the proceeds of unlawful activity relating to narcotic drugs or controlled substances, conducts or attempts to conduct such a financial transaction which in fact involves the proceeds:

(a) with the intent to promote the carrying on of unlawful activity relating to narcotic drugs or controlled substances; or

(b) knowing that the transaction is designed in whole or in part to conceal or disguise the nature, location, sources, ownership, or control of the proceeds of the unlawful activity is guilty of a felony and, upon conviction, must be punished by a fine of not more than five hundred thousand dollars or twice the value of the property involved in the transaction, whichever is greater, or by imprisonment for not more than twenty years, or both.

(2) Whoever transports, transmits, or transfers, or attempts to transport, transmit, or transfer a monetary instrument or funds from a place in South Carolina to or through a place outside the United States or to a place in South Carolina from or through a place outside the United States:

(a) with the intent to promote the carrying on of unlawful activity relating to narcotic drugs or to controlled substances; or

(b) knowing that the monetary instrument or funds involved in the transportation represent the proceeds of the unlawful activity and knowing that the transportation is designed in whole or in part to conceal or disguise the nature, location, source, ownership, or control of the proceeds of the unlawful activity is guilty of a felony and, upon conviction, must be punished by a fine of five hundred thousand dollars or twice the value of the monetary instrument or funds involved in the transportation, whichever is greater, or by imprisonment for not more than twenty years, or both.

(3) Whoever, with the intent:

(a) to promote the carrying on of unlawful activity relating to narcotic drugs or to controlled substances; or

(b) to conceal or disguise the nature, location, source, ownership, or control of property believed to be the proceeds of the unlawful activity, conducts or attempts to conduct a financial transaction involving property represented by a law enforcement officer to be the proceeds of the unlawful activity, or property used to conduct or facilitate the unlawful activity is guilty of a felony and, upon conviction, must be punished by a fine of five hundred thousand dollars or twice the value of the property involved, whichever is greater, or by imprisonment for not more than twenty years, or both. For purposes of this subitem, the term "represented" means any representation made by a law enforcement officer or by another person at the direction of, or with the approval of, a state official authorized to investigate or prosecute violations of this section.

(B) Whoever conducts or attempts to conduct a transaction described in subsection (A)(1), or transportation described in subsection (A)(2), is liable to the State for a civil penalty of not more than the greater of:

(1) the value of the property, funds, or monetary instruments involved in the transaction; or

(2) ten thousand dollars.

(C) As used in this section:

(1) the term "conducts" includes initiating, concluding, or participating in initiating or concluding a transaction;

(2) the term "transaction" includes a purchase, sale, loan, pledge, gift, transfer, delivery, or other disposition and, with respect to a financial institution includes a deposit, withdrawal, transfer between accounts, exchange of currency, loan, extension of credit, purchase or sale of any stock, bond, certificate of deposit, or other monetary instrument, or any other payment, transfer, or delivery by, through, or to a financial institution, by whatever means effected;

(3) the term "financial transaction" means a transaction involving the movement of funds by wire or other means or involving one or more monetary instruments;

(4) the term "monetary instruments" means coin or currency of the United States or of any other country, travelers' checks, personal checks, bank checks, money orders, investment securities in bearer form or otherwise in that form that title to it passes upon delivery, and negotiable instruments in bearer form or otherwise in that form that title to it passes upon delivery;

(5) the term "financial institution" has the definition given that term in Section 5312(a)(2) of Title 31, United States Code, and the regulations promulgated thereunder.

(D) Nothing in this section supersedes any provision of law imposing criminal penalties or affording civil remedies in addition to those provided for in this section.

HISTORY: 1990 Act No. 604, Section 10.

SECTION 44-53-480.Enforcement.

(a) The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division shall establish within its Division a Department of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs, which shall be administered by a director and shall be primarily responsible for the enforcement of all laws pertaining to illicit traffic in controlled and counterfeit substances. The Department of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs, in discharging its responsibilities concerning illicit traffic in narcotics and dangerous substances and in suppressing the abuse of controlled substances, shall enforce the State plan formulated in cooperation with the Narcotics and Controlled Substance Section as such plan relates to illicit traffic in controlled and counterfeit substances.

As part of its duties the Department of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs shall:

(1) Assist the Commission on Alcohol and Drug Abuse in the exchange of information between itself and governmental and local law-enforcement officials concerning illicit traffic in and use and abuse of controlled substances.

(2) Assist the commission in planning and coordinating training programs on law enforcement for controlled substances at the local and state level.

(3) Establish a centralized unit which shall accept, catalogue, file and collect statistics and make such information available for federal, state and local law enforcement purposes.

(4) Have the authority to execute and serve search warrants, arrest warrants, administrative inspection warrants, subpoenas, and summonses.

(b) The Department of Health and Environmental Control shall be primarily responsible for making accountability audits of the supply and inventory of controlled substances in the possession of pharmacists, doctors, hospitals, health care facilities and other practitioners as well as in the possession of any individuals or institutions authorized to have possession of such substances and shall also be primarily responsible for such other duties in respect to controlled substances as shall be specifically delegated to the Department of Health and Environmental Control by the General Assembly. Drug inspectors and special agents of the Department of Health and Environmental Control as provided for in Section 44-53-490, while in the performance of their duties as prescribed herein, shall have:

(1) statewide police powers;

(2) authority to carry firearms;

(3) authority to execute and serve search warrants, arrest warrants, administrative inspection warrants, subpoenas, and summonses;

(4) authority to make investigations to determine whether there has been unlawful dispensing of controlled substances or the removal of such substances from regulated establishments or practitioners into illicit traffic;

(5) authority to seize property; and

(6) authority to make arrests without warrants for offenses committed in their presence.

HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 32-1510.60; 1971 (57) 800; 1972 (57) 2396; 1974 (58) 2228; 1985 Act No. 143, Section 1; 1986 Act No. 404, Section 1; 2018 Act No. 216 (H.4487), Section 4, eff May 18, 2018.

Effect of Amendment

2018 Act No. 216, Section 4, deleted (c), eliminating the enforcement of drug laws as a function of the Department of Health and Environmental Control, and made nonsubstantive changes throughout.

SECTION 44-53-485.Handling of seized controlled substances; use of photographs or videotapes of substances at trial; admissibility of evidence.

(A) Controlled substances seized pursuant to this article must be inventoried, reported, audited, handled, tested, stored, preserved, or destroyed pursuant to procedures promulgated by the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division.

(B) The chief law enforcement official of the seizing agency, his designee, or the clerk of court, after one year following the conviction, guilty plea, plea by nolo contendere, or other disposition of the criminal case, may order the destruction or other lawful disposition of the substances unnecessary for evidentiary purposes in accordance with procedures promulgated by the division.

(C) The chief law enforcement official of the seizing agency or his designee, after a reasonable period of time following the seizure, may order the destruction or other lawful disposition of substances that do not come within the jurisdiction of court.

(D) When large amounts of substances are seized and storage is impractical, a law enforcement officer, only with the prior written approval and consent of the solicitor, may substitute photographs or videotapes of the substances at trial so long as a representative sample is analyzed for proof of the matter that the substances actually are present. When substitutions are used, the chief law enforcement official or his designee may authorize the destruction of the substances ten days following seizure.

(E) In all subsequent court proceedings following the disposition of the case, all evidence presented at the original proceedings is admissible through introduction of the certified record of the case.

HISTORY: 1992 Act No. 387, Section 2.

SECTION 44-53-490.Drug inspectors.

The Department of Health and Environmental Control shall designate persons holding a degree in pharmacy to serve as drug inspectors. Such inspectors shall, from time to time, but no less than once every three years, inspect all practitioners and registrants who manufacture, dispense, or distribute controlled substances, including those persons exempt from registration but who are otherwise permitted to keep controlled substances for specific purposes. The drug inspector shall submit an annual report by the first day of each year to the Department and a copy to the Commission on Alcohol and Drug Abuse specifying the name of the practitioner or the registrant or such exempt persons inspected, the date of inspection and any other violations of this article.

The Department may employ other persons as agents and assistant inspectors to aid in the enforcement of those duties delegated to the Department by this article.

HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 32-1510.61; 1971 (57) 800; 1974 (58) 2228.

SECTION 44-53-500.Procedure for issuance and execution of administrative inspection warrants.

(a) Issuance and execution of administrative inspection warrants shall be as follows:

(1) Any judge or magistrate of a court having jurisdiction where the inspection or seizure is to be conducted, may, upon proper oath or affirmation showing probable cause, issue warrants for the purpose of conducting administrative inspections authorized by this article or regulations thereunder, and seizures of property appropriate to such inspections. For the purposes of this section, "probable cause" means a valid public interest in the effective enforcement of this article or regulations sufficient to justify administrative inspection of the area, premises, building or conveyance in the circumstances specified in the application for the warrant;

(2) A warrant shall issue only upon an affidavit of an officer or employee duly designated and having knowledge of the facts alleged, sworn to before the judge or magistrate and establishing the grounds for issuing the warrant. If the judge or magistrate is satisfied that grounds for the application exist or that there is probable cause to believe they exist, he shall issue a warrant identifying the area, premises, building, or conveyance to be inspected, the purpose of such inspection, and, where appropriate, the type of property to be inspected, if any. The warrant shall identify the item or types of property to be seized, if any. The warrant shall be directed to a person authorized by Section 44-53-480(b) to execute it. The warrant shall state the grounds for issuance and the name of the person or persons whose affidavit has been taken in support thereof. It shall command the person to whom it is directed to inspect the area, premises, building, or conveyance identified for the purpose specified, and where appropriate, shall direct the seizure of the property specified. The warrant shall direct that it be served during normal business hours. It shall designate the judge or magistrate to whom it shall be returned;

(3) A warrant issued pursuant to this section must be executed and returned within ten days of its date. If property is seized pursuant to a warrant, the person executing the warrant shall give to the person from whom or from whose premises the property was taken a copy of the warrant and a receipt for the property taken or shall leave the copy and receipt at the place from which the property was taken. The return of the warrant shall be made promptly and shall be accompanied by a written inventory of any property taken. The inventory shall be made in the presence of the person executing the warrant and of the person from whose possession or premises the property was taken, if they are present, or in the presence of at least one credible person other than the person executing the warrant. The clerk of the court, upon request, shall deliver a copy of the inventory to the person from whom or from whose premises the property was taken and to the applicant for the warrant; and

(4) The judge or magistrate who has issued a warrant under this section shall attach to the warrant a copy of the return and all papers filed in connection therewith and shall cause them to be filed with the court which issued such warrant.

(b) The Department of Health and Environmental Control is authorized to make administrative inspections of controlled premises in accordance with the following provisions:

(1) For the purposes of this article only, "controlled premises" means:

(a) Places where persons registered or exempted from registration requirements under this article are required to keep records, and

(b) Places including factories, warehouses, establishments, and conveyances where persons registered or exempted from registration requirements under this article are permitted to hold, manufacture, compound, process, sell, deliver, or otherwise dispose of any controlled substance.

(2) When so authorized by an administrative inspection warrant issued pursuant to this section an officer or employee designated by the Commission on Alcohol and Drug Abuse upon presenting the warrant and appropriate credentials to the owner, operator, or agent in charge, may enter controlled premises for the purpose of conducting an administrative inspection.

(3) When so authorized by an administrative inspection warrant, an officer or employee designated by the Department may:

(a) Inspect and copy records required by this article to be kept;

(b) Inspect, within reasonable limits and in a reasonable manner, controlled premises and all pertinent equipment, finished and unfinished material, containers and labeling found therein, and, except as provided in subsection (b)(5) of this section, all other things therein including records, files, papers, processes, controls, and facilities bearing on violation of this article; and

(c) Inventory any stock of any controlled substance therein and obtain samples of any such substance.

(4) This section shall not be construed to prevent entries and administrative inspections (including seizures of property) without a warrant:

(a) With the consent of the owner, operator or agent in charge of the controlled premises;

(b) In situations presenting imminent danger to health or safety;

(c) In situations involving inspection of conveyances where there is reasonable cause to believe that the mobility of the conveyance makes it impracticable to obtain a warrant;

(d) In any other exceptional or emergency circumstance where time or opportunity to apply for a warrant is lacking; and

(e) In all other situations where a warrant is not constitutionally required.

(5) Except when the owner, operator, or agent in charge of the controlled premises so consents in writing, no inspection authorized by this section shall extend to:

(a) Financial data;

(b) Sales data other than shipment data;

(c) Pricing data;

(d) Personnel data; or

(e) Research data.

HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 32-1510.62; 1971 (57) 800.

SECTION 44-53-520.Forfeitures.

(a) The following are subject to forfeiture:

(1) all controlled substances which have been manufactured, distributed, dispensed, or acquired in violation of this article;

(2) all raw materials, products, and equipment of any kind which are used, or which have been positioned for use, in manufacturing, producing, compounding, processing, delivering, importing, or exporting any controlled substance in violation of this article;

(3) all property which is used, or which has been positioned for use, as a container for property described in items (1) or (2);

(4) All property, both real and personal, which in any manner is knowingly used to facilitate production, manufacturing, distribution, sale, importation, exportation, or trafficking in various controlled substances as defined in this article;

(5) all books, records, and research products and materials, including formulas, microfilm, tapes, and data which are used, or which have been positioned for use, in violation of this article;

(6) all conveyances including, but not limited to, trailers, aircraft, motor vehicles, and watergoing vessels which are used or intended for use unlawfully to conceal, contain, or transport or facilitate the unlawful concealment, possession, containment, manufacture, or transportation of controlled substances and their compounds, except as otherwise provided, must be forfeited to the State. No motor vehicle may be forfeited to the State under this item unless it is used, intended for use, or in any manner facilitates a violation of Section 44-53-370(a), involving at least one pound or more of marijuana, one pound or more of hashish, more than four grains of opium, more than two grains of heroin, more than four grains of morphine, more than ten grains of cocaine, more than fifty micrograms of lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) or its compounds, more than ten grains of crack, or more than one gram of ice or crank, as defined in Section 44-53-110, or unless it is used, intended for use, or in any manner facilitates a violation of Section 44-53-370(e) or fifteen tablets, capsules, dosage units, or the equivalent quantity of 3, 4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA);

(7) all property including, but not limited to, monies, negotiable instruments, securities, or other things of value furnished or intended to be furnished by any person in exchange for a controlled substance, and all proceeds including, but not limited to, monies, and real and personal property traceable to any exchange;

(8) all monies seized in close proximity to forfeitable controlled substances, drug manufacturing, or distributing paraphernalia, or in close proximity to forfeitable records of the importation, manufacturing, or distribution of controlled substances and all monies seized at the time of arrest or search involving violation of this article. If the person from whom the monies were taken can establish to the satisfaction of a court of competent jurisdiction that the monies seized are not products of illegal acts, the monies must be returned pursuant to court order.

(b) Any property subject to forfeiture under this article may be seized by the department having authority upon warrant issued by any court having jurisdiction over the property. Seizure without process may be made if:

(1) the seizure is incident to an arrest or a search under a search warrant or an inspection under an administrative inspection warrant;

(2) the property subject to seizure has been the subject of a prior judgment in favor of the State in a criminal injunction or forfeiture proceeding based upon this article;

(3) the department has probable cause to believe that the property is directly or indirectly dangerous to health or safety; or

(4) the department has probable cause to believe that the property was used or is intended to be used in violation of this article.

(c) In the event of seizure pursuant to subsection (b), proceedings under Section 44-53-530 regarding forfeiture and disposition must be instituted within a reasonable time.

(d) Any property taken or detained under this section is not subject to replevin but is considered to be in the custody of the department making the seizure subject only to the orders of the court having jurisdiction over the forfeiture proceedings. Property described in Section 44-53-520(a) is forfeited and transferred to the government at the moment of illegal use. Seizure and forfeiture proceedings confirm the transfer.

(e) Controlled substances listed in Schedule I that are possessed, transferred, sold, or offered for sale in violation of this article are contraband and must be seized and summarily forfeited to the State. Controlled substances listed in Schedule I, which are seized or come into the possession of the State, the owners of which are unknown, are contraband and must be summarily forfeited to the State.

(f) Species of plants from which controlled substances in Schedules I and II may be derived which have been planted or cultivated in violation of this article, or of which the owners or cultivators are unknown, or which are wild growths, may be seized and summarily forfeited to the State.

(g) The failure, upon demand by the department having authority to make the demand, of the person in occupancy or in control of land or premises upon which the species of plants are growing or being stored to produce an appropriate registration, or proof that he is the holder thereof, constitutes authority for the seizure and forfeiture of the plants.

(h) For the purposes of this section, whenever the seizure of any property subject to seizure is accomplished as a result of a joint effort by more than one law enforcement agency, the law enforcement agency initiating the investigation is considered to be the agency making the seizure.

(i) Law enforcement agencies seizing property under this section shall take reasonable steps to maintain the property. Equipment and conveyances seized must be removed to an appropriate place for storage. Any monies seized must be deposited in an interest bearing account pending final disposition by the court unless the seizing agency determines the monies to be of an evidential nature and provides for security in another manner.

(j) When property and monies of any value as defined in this section or anything else of any value is seized, the law enforcement agency making the seizure, within ten days or a reasonable period of time after the seizure, shall submit a report to the appropriate prosecution agency.

(1) The report shall provide the following information with respect to the property seized:

(a) description;

(b) circumstances of seizure;

(c) present custodian and where the property is being stored or its location;

(d) name of owner;

(e) name of lienholder, if any;

(f) seizing agency; and

(g) the type and quantity of the controlled substance involved.

(2) If the property is a conveyance, the report shall include the:

(a) make, model, serial number, and year of the conveyance;

(b) person in whose name the conveyance is registered; and

(c) name of any lienholders.

(3) In addition to the report provided for in items (1) and (2), the law enforcement agency shall prepare for dissemination to the public upon request a report providing the following information:

(a) a description of the quantity and nature of the property and money seized;

(b) the seizing agency;

(c) the type and quantity of the controlled substance involved;

(d) the make, model, and year of a conveyance; and

(e) the law enforcement agency responsible for the property or conveyance seized.

(k) Property or conveyances seized by a law enforcement agency or department must not be used by officers for personal purposes.

HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 32-1510.64; 1971 (57) 800; 1980 Act No. 372, Section 6; 1984 Act No. 482, Section 3; 1986 Act No. 404, Section 2; 1986 Act No. 540, Part II, Section 40; 1990 Act No. 604, Sections 1, 11; 1992 Act No. 333, Sections 1, 2; 2002 Act No. 267, Section 4, eff May 20, 2002.

SECTION 44-53-530.Forfeiture procedures; disposition of forfeited items; disposition of proceeds of sales.

(a) Forfeiture of property defined in Section 44-53-520 must be accomplished by petition of the Attorney General or his designee or the circuit solicitor or his designee to the court of common pleas for the jurisdiction where the items were seized. The petition must be submitted to the court within a reasonable time period following seizure and shall set forth the facts upon which the seizure was made. The petition shall describe the property and include the names of all owners of record and lienholders of record. The petition shall identify any other persons known to the petitioner to have interests in the property. Petitions for the forfeiture of conveyances shall also include: the make, model, and year of the conveyance, the person in whose name the conveyance is registered, and the person who holds the title to the conveyance. The petition shall set forth the type and quantity of the controlled substance involved. A copy of the petition must be sent to each law enforcement agency which has notified the petitioner of its involvement in effecting the seizure. Notice of hearing or rule to show cause must be directed to all persons with interests in the property listed in the petition, including law enforcement agencies which have notified the petitioner of their involvement in effecting the seizure. Owners of record and lienholders of record may be served by certified mail, to the last known address as appears in the records of the governmental agency which records the title or lien.

The judge shall determine whether the property is subject to forfeiture and order the forfeiture confirmed. If the judge finds a forfeiture, he shall then determine the lienholder's interest as provided in this article. The judge shall determine whether any property must be returned to a law enforcement agency pursuant to Section 44-53-582.

If there is a dispute as to the allocation of the proceeds of forfeited property among participating law enforcement agencies, this issue must be determined by the judge. The proceeds from a sale of property, conveyances, and equipment must be disposed of pursuant to subsection (e) of this section.

All property, conveyances, and equipment not reduced to proceeds may be transferred to the law enforcement agency or agencies or to the prosecution agency. Upon agreement of the law enforcement agency or agencies and the prosecution agency, conveyances and equipment may be transferred to any other appropriate agency. Property transferred must not be used to supplant operating funds within the current or future budgets. If the property seized and forfeited is an aircraft or watercraft and is transferred to a state law enforcement agency or other state agency pursuant to the provisions of this subsection, its use and retainage by that agency shall be at the discretion and approval of the Department of Administration.

If a defendant or his attorney sends written notice to the petitioner or the seizing agency of his interest in the subject property, service may be made by mailing a copy of the petition to the address provided and service may not be made by publication. In addition, service by publication may not be used for a person incarcerated in a South Carolina Department of Corrections facility, a county detention facility, or other facility where inmates are housed for the county where the seizing agency is located. The seizing agency shall check the appropriate institutions after receiving an affidavit of nonservice before attempting service by publication.

(b) If the property is seized by a state law enforcement agency and is not transferred by the court to the seizing agency, the judge shall order it transferred to the Division of General Services of the Department of Administration for sale. Proceeds may be used by the division for payment of all proper expenses of the proceedings for the forfeiture and sale of the property, including the expenses of seizure, maintenance, and custody, and other costs incurred by the implementation of this section. The net proceeds from any sale must be remitted to the State Treasurer as provided in subsection (g) of this section. The Division of General Services of the Department of Administration may authorize payment of like expenses in cases where monies, negotiable instruments, or securities are seized and forfeited.

(c) If the property is seized by a local law enforcement agency and is not transferred by the court to the agency, the judge shall order it sold at public auction by the seizing agency as provided by law. Notwithstanding any other provision of the law, proceeds from the sale may be used by the agency for payment of all proper expenses of the proceeding for the forfeiture and sale of the property, including the expenses of the seizure, maintenance, and custody and other costs incurred by the implementation of this section. The net proceeds from the sale must be disposed of as provided by this section.

(d) Any forfeiture may be effected by consent order approved by the court without filing or serving pleadings or notices provided that all owners and other persons with interests in the property, including participating law enforcement agencies, entitled to notice under this section, except lienholders and agencies, consent to the forfeiture. Disposition of the property may be accomplished by consent of the petitioner and those agencies involved. Persons entitled to notice under this section may consent to some issues and have the judge determine the remaining issues.

All proceeds of property and cash forfeited by consent order must be disposed of as provided in subsection (e) of this section.

(e) All real or personal property, conveyances, and equipment of any value defined in Section 44-53-520, when reduced to proceeds, any cash more than one thousand dollars, any negotiable instruments, and any securities which are seized and forfeited must be disposed of as follows:

(1) seventy-five percent to the law enforcement agency or agencies;

(2) twenty percent to the prosecuting agency; and

(3) five percent must be remitted to the State Treasurer and deposited to the credit of the general fund of the State.

(f) The first one thousand dollars of any cash seized and forfeited pursuant to this article remains with and is the property of the law enforcement agency which effected the seizure unless otherwise agreed to by the law enforcement agency and prosecuting agency.

(g) All forfeited monies and proceeds from the sale of forfeited property as defined in Section 44-53-520 must be retained by the governing body of the local law enforcement agency or prosecution agency and deposited in a separate, special account in the name of each appropriate agency. These accounts may be drawn on and used only by the law enforcement agency or prosecution agency for which the account was established. For law enforcement agencies, the accounts must be used for drug enforcement activities, or for drug or other law enforcement training or education. For prosecution agencies, the accounts must be used in matters relating to the prosecution of drug offenses and litigation of drug-related matters.

These accounts must not be used to supplant operating funds in the current or future budgets. Expenditures from these accounts for an item that would be a recurring expense must be approved by the governing body before purchase or, in the case of a state law enforcement agency or prosecution agency, approved as provided by law.

In the case of a state law enforcement agency or state prosecution agency, monies and proceeds must be remitted to the State Treasurer who shall establish separate, special accounts as provided in this section for local agencies.

All expenditures from these accounts must be documented, and the documentation made available for audit purposes and upon request by a person under the provisions of Chapter 4, Title 30, the Freedom of Information Act.

(h) The use of all property forfeited pursuant to Section 44-53-520 and retained by the law enforcement agency must be documented and the documentation available upon request by a person subject to the provisions of Chapter 4 of Title 30.

(i) An expenditure from these accounts must be made in accordance with the established procurement procedures of the jurisdiction where the account is established.

(j) A law enforcement agency may draw from the account an amount necessary to maintain a confidential financial account to be used in the purchase of information or evidence relating to an investigation, to purchase services, or to provide compensation in matters which are confidential and in support of law enforcement activity. The disbursement of funds from the confidential financial account must be made in accordance with procedures approved by the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (division). All records of disbursement must be maintained and made available for audit purposes as provided in this section.

All expenditures from these accounts must be fully documented and audited annually with the general fund of the appropriate jurisdiction.

(k) In all cases where the criminal offense giving rise to the forfeiture of property described in Section 44-53-520 is prosecuted in a state court, the forfeiture proceeding must be accomplished in the court of common pleas for the jurisdiction where the items were seized.

HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 32-1510.64:1; 1973 (58) 429; 1979 Act No. 185 Section 1; 1980 Act No. 462, Section 1; 1984 Act No. 482, Section 4; 1986 Act No. 404, Section 3; 1990 Act No. 604, Section 2; 1992 Act No. 333, Section 3; 1995 Act No. 145, Part II, Section 45; 2006 Act No. 345, Section 5, eff June 12, 2006; 2009 Act No. 62, Section 1, eff upon approval (became law without the Governor's signature on June 3, 2009); 2014 Act No. 121 (S.22), Pt V, Section 7.CC, eff July 1, 2015.

SECTION 44-53-540.Burden of proof.

(a) It shall not be necessary for the State to negate any exemption or exception set forth in this article in any complaint, information, indictment or other pleading or in any trial, hearing, or other proceeding under this article, and the burden of proof of any such exemption or exception shall be upon the person claiming its benefit.

(b) In the absence of proof that a person is the duly authorized holder of an appropriate registration or order form issued under this article, he shall be presumed not to be the holder of such registration or form, and the burden of proof shall be upon him to rebut such presumption.

HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 32-1510.65; 1971 (57) 800; 1974 (58) 2284.

SECTION 44-53-550.Prosecutions prior to effective date of article.

Prosecution occurring prior to June 17, 1971 is not affected or abated by this article. However, if the offense being prosecuted is similar to one set forth in Sections 44-53-370 to 44-53-470, then the penalties under Sections 44-53-370 to 44-53-470 shall apply if they are less than under prior law.

Offenses occurring prior to June 17, 1971 may be prosecuted under the statute then in force, but shall be subject to penalty limitations in this section.

HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 32-1510.66; 1971 (57) 800; 1974 (58) 2228.

SECTION 44-53-560.Repealed.

HISTORY: Former Section, titled Transfer of agents from Department of Health and Environmental Control, had the following history: 1962 Code Section 32-1510.67; 1971 (57) 800. Repealed by 2018 Act No. 216, Section 5, eff May 18, 2018.

SECTION 44-53-570.Service of search warrants.

A search warrant relating to offenses involving controlled substances may be served at any time of the day or night if the magistrate or judge of any court of record of the State having jurisdiction over the area where the property sought is located is satisfied that there is probable cause to believe that grounds exist for the warrant and for its service at such time.

HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 32-1510.68; 1971 (57) 800.

SECTION 44-53-577.Illegal acts involving persons under seventeen years of age; penalties; separate offense.

(A) It is unlawful for any person at least seventeen years of age to knowingly and intentionally:

(1) use, solicit, direct, hire, persuade, induce, entice, coerce, or employ a person under seventeen years of age to violate Section 44-53-370 or 44-53-375(B);

(2) receive a controlled substance from a person under seventeen years of age in violation of this chapter; or

(3) conspire to use, solicit, direct, hire, persuade, induce, entice, coerce, or employ a person under seventeen years of age to violate Section 44-53-370 or 44-53-375(B).

(B) Any person who violates subsection (A)(1), (A)(2), or (A)(3) is guilty of a felony and, upon conviction, must be punished by a term of imprisonment of not less than five years nor more than fifteen years. A violation of this section constitutes a separate offense.

HISTORY: 1990 Act No. 604, Section 12.

Editor's Note

Section 44-53-160(B) authorizes the Department of Health and Environmental Control to add, delete, or reschedule a substance as a controlled substance when the General Assembly is not in session, and Section 44-53-160(C) requires the department to make such changes to conform to federal law. For a complete and accurate list of controlled substance schedules, please visit the department's website at http://www.scdhec.gov/Health/FHPF/DrugControlRegisterVerify/ControlledSubstanceSchedule/

SECTION 44-53-582.Return of monies used to purchase controlled substances.

All monies used by law enforcement officers or agents, in the line of duty, to purchase controlled substances during a criminal investigation must be returned to the state or local agency or unit of government furnishing the monies upon a determination by the court that the monies were used by law enforcement officers or agents, in the line of duty, to purchase controlled substances during a criminal investigation. The court may order a defendant to return the monies to the state or local agency or unit of government at the time of sentencing.

HISTORY: 1984 Act No. 482, Section 6; 1986 Act No. 404, Section 5; 2010 Act No. 273, Section 42, eff June 2, 2010.

SECTION 44-53-586.Return of seized items to innocent owners; notice of hearing or rule to show cause; continuation of liens of innocent persons.

(a) Any innocent owner or any manager or owner of a licensed rental agency or any common carrier or carrier of goods for hire may apply to the court of common pleas for the return of any item seized under the provisions of Section 44-53-520. Notice of hearing or rule to show cause accompanied by copy of the application must be directed to all persons and agencies entitled to notice under Section 44-53-530. If the judge denies the application, the hearing may proceed as a forfeiture hearing held pursuant to Section 44-53-530.

(b) The court may return any seized item to the owner if the owner demonstrates to the court by a preponderance of the evidence:

(1) in the case of an innocent owner, that the person or entity was not a consenting party to, or privy to, or did not have knowledge of, the use of the property which made it subject to seizure and forfeiture.

(2) in the case of a manager or an owner of a licensed rental agency, a common carrier, or a carrier of goods for hire, that any agent, servant, or employee of the rental agency or of the common carrier or carrier of goods for hire was not a party to, or privy to, or did not have knowledge of, the use of the property which made it subject to seizure and forfeiture.

If the licensed rental agency demonstrates to the court that it has rented the seized property in the ordinary course of its business and that the tenant or tenants were not related within the third degree of kinship to the manager or owner, or any agents, servants, or employees of the rental agency, then it is presumed that the licensed rental agency was not a party to, or privy to, or did not have knowledge of, the use of the property which made it subject to seizure and forfeiture.

(c) The lien of any innocent person or other legal entity, recorded in public records, shall continue in force upon transfer of title of any forfeited item, and any transfer of title is subject to the lien, if the lienholder demonstrates to the court by a preponderance of the evidence that he was not a consenting party to, or privy to, or did not have knowledge of, the involvement of the property which made it subject to seizure and forfeiture.

HISTORY: 1984 Act No. 482, Section 8; 1986 Act No. 404, Section 7.

SECTION 44-53-590.Penalty for use of property in manner which makes it subject to forfeiture.

Any person who uses property or a conveyance in a manner which would make the property or conveyance subject to forfeiture as provided for in Sections 44-53-520 or 44-53-530, except for innocent owners, rental agencies, lienholders, and the like as provided for in this article, is guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction must be imprisoned for not less than thirty days nor more than one year or fined not more than five thousand dollars, or both, in the discretion of the court. The penalties prescribed in this section are cumulative and must be construed to be in addition to any other penalty prescribed by any other provision of this article relating to controlled substances or harmful or illegal drugs.

HISTORY: 1984 Act No. 482, Section 10.



SECTION 44-53-610.Short title.

This article may be cited as the "South Carolina Controlled Substances Therapeutic Research Act of 1980".

HISTORY: 1980 Act No. 323, Section 1.

SECTION 44-53-620.Definitions.

As used in this article unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

(a) "Director" means the Director of the Department of Health and Environmental Control;

(b) "Marijuana" means marijuana, all tetrahydrocannabinols or a chemical derivative of any tetrahydrocannabinol;

(c) "Practitioner" means a physician licensed to practice medicine in this State and licensed to prescribe and administer drugs which are subject to regulation under the provisions of Article 3, Chapter 53 of Title 44 of the 1976 Code.

HISTORY: 1980 Act No. 323, Section 3; 1993 Act No. 181, Section 1110.

SECTION 44-53-630.Establishment of therapeutic research program; regulations; limits as to patient eligibility.

(A) There is established in the Department of Health and Environmental Control a controlled substances therapeutic research program. The program shall be administered by the director. The program shall distribute to cancer chemotherapy and radiology patients and to glaucoma patients who are certified pursuant to this article marijuana under the terms and conditions of this article for the purpose of alleviating the patient's discomfort, nausea and other painful side effects of their disease or chemotherapy treatments. The department shall promulgate regulations necessary for the proper administration of this article and in such promulgation, the department shall take into consideration those pertinent regulations promulgated by the Drug Enforcement Agency, U. S. Department of Justice; Food and Drug Administration; the National Institute on Drug Abuse, and the National Institutes of Health.

(B) Except as provided in subsection (c) of Section 44-53-640, the controlled substances therapeutic research program shall be limited to cancer chemotherapy and radiology patients and glaucoma patients, who are certified to the patient qualification review advisory board by a practitioner as being involved in a life-threatening or sense-threatening situation and who are not responding to conventional controlled substances or where the conventional controlled substances administered have proven to be effective but where the patient has incurred severe side effects.

HISTORY: 1980 Act No. 323, Section 4; 1993 Act No. 181, Section 1111.

SECTION 44-53-640.Patient Qualification Review Advisory Board; membership; compensation; duties.

(a) The director shall appoint a Patient Qualification Review Advisory Board to serve at his pleasure. The Patient Qualification Review Advisory Board shall be comprised of:

(1) a physician licensed to practice medicine in South Carolina and certified by the American Board of Ophthalmology;

(2) a physician licensed to practice medicine in South Carolina and certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine and also certified in the subspecialty of medical oncology;

(3) a physician licensed to practice medicine in South Carolina and certified by the American Board of Psychiatry; and

(4) a pharmacologist holding a Doctoral degree or its equivalent.

Members of the board shall be paid the usual per diem, mileage and subsistence as provided by law for members of boards, commissions and committees.

(b) The department shall review all applicants for the controlled substances therapeutic research program and their licensed practitioners and certify their participation in the program.

(c) The department, in its discretion, may include other disease groups for participation in the controlled substances therapeutic research program after pertinent medical data have been presented by a practitioner to both the director and the department and after necessary approval is received by the appropriate federal agencies.

HISTORY: 1980 Act No. 323, Section 5; 1993 Act No. 181, Section 1112.

SECTION 44-53-650.Director to obtain and distribute marijuana.

(a) The director shall obtain marijuana through whatever means he deems most appropriate consistent with federal law.

(b) The director shall cause such analyzed marijuana to be transferred to various locations throughout the State that provide adequate security as set forth in federal and state regulations for the purpose of distributing such marijuana to the certified patient in such manner as is consistent with federal law. The patient shall not be required to pay for such marijuana but the director may charge for ancillary medical services provided by the department to compensate the department for the cost, if any, of securing such marijuana, and providing it to the patient.

HISTORY: 1980 Act No. 323, Section 6; 1993 Act No. 181, Section 1113.

SECTION 44-53-660.Annual report.

The director shall annually report to the General Assembly his opinion as to the effectiveness of this program and his recommendations for any changes thereto.

HISTORY: 1980 Act No. 323, Section 7; 1993 Act No. 181, Section 1114.



SECTION 44-53-710.Exclusive control over methadone vested in Department of Health and Environmental Control.

The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control has exclusive control over the controlled substance methadone.

HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 32-1510.81; 1972 (57) 2642; 1980 Act No. 439, Section 1; 1993 Act No. 181, Section 1115; 2000 Act No. 355, Section 11.

SECTION 44-53-720.Restrictions on use of methadone.

Methadone and its salts are restricted to:

(1) use in treatment, maintenance, or detoxification programs as approved by the Department of Health and Environmental Control, including narcotic treatment programs operating pursuant to Section 40-43-72.

(2) dispensing by a hospital for analgesia, pertussis, and detoxification treatment as approved by the Department of Health and Environmental Control.

(3) dispensing by a retail pharmacy for analgesia as provided for by R. 61-4, Section 507.5.

HISTORY: 1976 Code Section 44-53-730; 1962 Code Section 32-1510.83; 1972 (57) 2642; 1980 Act No. 439, Section 1; 2000 Act No. 355, Section 12; 2023 Act No. 43 (H.3870), Section 2, eff May 16, 2023.

Effect of Amendment

2023 Act No. 43, Section 2, in (1), inserted ", including narcotic treatment programs operating pursuant to Section 40-43-72" at the end.

SECTION 44-53-730.Restrictions on sale and distribution of methadone.

No supplier, distributor, or manufacturer may sell or distribute methadone or its salts to an entity for use, except as provided for in Section 44-53-720.

HISTORY: 1976 Code Section 44-53-740; 1962 Code Section 32-1510.84; 1972 (57) 2642; 1980 Act No. 439, Section 1; 2000 Act No. 355, Section 13.

SECTION 44-53-740.Promulgation of rules and regulations.

The Board of the Department of Health and Environmental Control shall promulgate regulations necessary to carry out the provisions of this article.

HISTORY: 1976 Code Section 44-53-750; 1962 Code Section 32-1510.85; 1972 (57) 2642; 1980 Act No. 439, Section 1; 1993 Act No. 181, Section 1116; 2000 Act No. 355, Section 14.

SECTION 44-53-750.Autopsy on person dying while enrolled in program.

An autopsy shall be performed on any person on a methadone program who dies while enrolled in such program. A report concerning the autopsy shall be filed with the Department of Health and Environmental Control. Each person enrolling in such program shall be notified of the autopsy provision as a part of such person's consent which is required prior to admission to such program.

HISTORY: 1976 Code Section 44-53-760; 1962 Code Section 32-1510.86; 1972 (57) 2642; 1980 Act No. 439, Section 1.

SECTION 44-53-760.Admission of minors to programs.

Parental consent shall be obtained for all persons under eighteen years of age prior to admission to a methadone maintenance program; provided, that if any court of competent jurisdiction declares a person under eighteen years of age an emancipated minor, then such person may be admitted to the program without parental consent.

HISTORY: 1976 Code Section 44-53-770; 1962 Code Section 32-1510.87; 1972 (57) 2642; 1980 Act No. 439, Section 1.



SECTION 44-53-810.Legislative findings.

The General Assembly finds:

(1) that the future of this State rests in the hands of school children;

(2) the Drug Abuse Resistance Education Program taught in this State and in many schools nationally provides an effective and proven awareness of instilling drug resistance skills in our school children, and promoting the hope of a secure and healthy future for these children.

HISTORY: 1997 Act No. 155, Part II, Section 64B.

SECTION 44-53-820.Establishment of DARE Fund; purpose.

There is established the Drug Awareness Resistance Education (DARE) Fund, an eleemosynary corporation, the resources of which must be used to promote and encourage the Drug Awareness and Resistance Education Program in this State. The trust fund supplements and augments services provided by government agencies and does not take the place of these services.

HISTORY: 1997 Act No. 155, Part II, Section 64B.

SECTION 44-53-830.Board of directors; membership; terms.

(A) The DARE Fund is to be administered by a board of directors appointed by the Governor, with the advice and consent of the Senate, and is composed of:

(1) the Attorney General, ex officio, or his designee;

(2) two county sheriffs, who shall serve ex officio;

(3) two police chiefs;

(4) two local law enforcement officers assigned to the DARE Program; and

(5) two school principals.

Directors who are not elected officials serve by virtue of their position at the time of appointment.

(B) Members shall serve terms of four years and until successors are appointed and qualify. A board member may be removed by the Governor in accordance with Section 1-3-240(B). Vacancies must be filled in the manner of the original appointment for the unexpired portion of the term.

HISTORY: 1997 Act No. 155, Part II, Section 64B.

SECTION 44-53-840.Board members to be reimbursed for expenses.

Board members are not entitled to per diem but may be reimbursed for mileage and all necessary and reasonable expenses incurred in the performance of their duties under this article.

HISTORY: 1997 Act No. 155, Part II, Section 64B.

SECTION 44-53-850.Powers of board.

In administering this article, the board is authorized, but not limited to:

(1) develop and implement educational programs and campaigns in support of the DARE Program in South Carolina;

(2) make policy recommendations for the DARE Program in South Carolina;

(3) assess the needs of DARE Programs;

(4) determine how the monies in the fund are to be disbursed;

(5) acquire and hold property;

(6) invest trust monies, including pooled investment funds maintained by the State;

(7) utilize local resources including volunteers when appropriate.

HISTORY: 1997 Act No. 155, Part II, Section 64B.

SECTION 44-53-860.Chairman; meetings; quorum.

The board shall elect a chairman from among its members and shall adopt rules for the governance of its operations. The board shall meet at least semiannually. Six members constitute a quorum.

HISTORY: 1997 Act No. 155, Part II, Section 64B.

SECTION 44-53-870.Director and staff; maximum administrative costs.

The board may employ a director and other staff as necessary to carry out the provisions of this article; however, administration of this article may not exceed twenty percent of the total funds credited to the trust fund, excluding the administrative fee paid to the Department of Revenue pursuant to Section 12-6-5080.

HISTORY: 1997 Act No. 155, Part II, Section 64B.

SECTION 44-53-880.Use of funds.

Funds credited to the trust fund, excluding the administrative fees paid to the Department of Revenue, may be used for, but are not limited to:

(1) administration of this article including, but not limited to, personnel and board expenses;

(2) development and promotion of the DARE Program in this State;

(3) a reserve fund in an interest-bearing account with five percent of the funds received by the trust fund annually to be placed in this account. No withdrawals may be made from this account until the minimum balance has reached one hundred thousand dollars and then these funds may be used only in years in which donations do not meet the average normal operating cost incurred by the trust fund and funds are needed to meet expenses. Once the balance in the reserve funds reaches one hundred thousand dollars, excess fund earned by interest and yearly allocations may be used at the discretion of the board to cover operating costs and to provide additional funds.

HISTORY: 1997 Act No. 155, Part II, Section 64B.

SECTION 44-53-890.Annual report.

The fund board annually by February first shall submit a report to the General Assembly concerning its expenditures of fund monies and activities.

HISTORY: 1997 Act No. 155, Part II, Section 64B.



SECTION 44-53-930.Retail sales shall be made only by registered pharmacists or assistant pharmacists; exception.

Sales at retail of hypodermic needles or syringes shall be made only by a registered pharmacist or registered assistant pharmacist through a permitted pharmacy as authorized by Section 40-43-370, except that syringes and hypodermic needles may be sold by persons lawfully selling veterinary medicines as authorized by item (8) of Section 40-69-220 if they register annually with the Department of Health and Environmental Control and pay such registration fee as may be required by the Department and they shall be subject to the provisions of Section 44-53-920.

HISTORY: 1975 (59) 188; 1980 Act No. 383, Section 1.

SECTION 44-53-950.Veterinarians and licensed durable medical equipment providers exception.

Nothing in this article applies to veterinarians in connection with the practice of their profession or to certified or licensed durable medical equipment providers when selling hypodermic needles and syringes to insulin dependent diabetics.

HISTORY: 1975 (59) 188; 2000 Act No. 239, Section 1; 2002 Act No. 365, Section 4, eff September 26, 2002.

SECTION 44-53-960.Penalties.

Any person who sells or purchases at retail any hypodermic needles or syringes, except in accordance with the terms of this article, shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction shall be fined not more than five hundred dollars or imprisoned for not more than sixty days.

HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 32-1510.123; 1974 (58) 2399.



SECTION 44-53-1110.Prohibition on aromatic hydrocarbons used as intoxicants.

No person shall, for the purpose of causing a condition of intoxication, inebriation, excitement, stupefaction or the dulling of his brain or nervous system, intentionally smell or inhale the fumes from any substance containing aromatic hydrocarbons; provided, that nothing in this section shall be interpreted as applying to the inhalation of any anesthesia for medical or dental purposes.

HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 32-1510.91; 1972 (57) 2766.

SECTION 44-53-1120.Unlawful use or possession of aromatic hydrocarbons.

No person shall, for the purpose of violating Section 44-53-1110, use or possess for the purpose of so using, any substance containing aromatic hydrocarbons.

HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 32-1510.92; 1972 (57) 2766.

SECTION 44-53-1130.Penalties.

Any person who violates any provision of this article shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, shall be fined in an amount not to exceed one hundred dollars or imprisoned for a term not to exceed thirty days.

HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 32-1510.93; 1972 (57) 2766.



SECTION 44-53-1210.Definitions.

The term "dangerous caustic or corrosive substance" means each and all of the acids, alkalis and substances named below:

(1) Hydrochloric acid and any preparation containing free or chemically unneutralized hydrochloric acid (HCL) in a concentration of ten per cent or more;

(2) Sulphuric acid and any preparation containing free or chemically unneutralized sulphuric acid (H2SO4) in a concentration of ten per cent or more;

(3) Nitric acid or any preparation containing free or chemically unneutralized nitric acid (HNO3) in a concentration of five per cent or more;

(4) Carbolic acid, otherwise known as phenol, and any preparation containing carbolic acid or phenol in a concentration of five per cent or more;

(5) Oxalic acid and any preparation containing free or chemically unneutralized oxalic acid (H2C2O4) in a concentration of ten per cent or more;

(6) Any salt or oxalic acid and any preparation containing any such salt in a concentration of ten per cent or more;

(7) Acetic acid or any preparation containing free or chemically unneutralized acetic acid (HC2H3O2) in a concentration of twenty per cent or more;

(8) Hypochlorous acid, either free or combined, including calx chlorinata, bleaching powder, chloride of lime, chlorinated soda, chlorinated potash and any preparation containing any of the aforesaid substances so as to yield a concentration of ten per cent or more of available chlorine;

(9) Potassium hydroxide and any preparation containing free or chemically unneutralized potassium hydroxide (KOH), including caustic potash and vienna paste, in a concentration of ten per cent or more;

(10) Sodium hydroxide and any preparation containing free or chemically unneutralized sodium hydroxide (NaOH), including caustic soda and lye, in a concentration of ten per cent or more;

(11) Silver nitrate, sometimes known as lunar caustic, and any preparation containing silver nitrate (AgNO3) in a concentration of five per cent or more;

(12) Ammonia water and any preparation yielding free or chemically uncombined ammonia (NH3), including ammonium hydroxide and "hartshorn," in a concentration of five per cent or more; and

(13) Any other alkali, acid, salt or preparation thereof having caustic or corrosive properties equivalent to those of any of the alkalis, acids, salts and preparations named above.

The term "misbranded parcel, package or container" means a retail parcel, package or container of any dangerous caustic or corrosive substance for household use, not bearing a conspicuous easily legible label or sticker, containing:

(1) The name of the article;

(2) The name and place of business of the manufacturer, packer, seller or distributor;

(3) The word "POISON" running parallel with the main body of reading matter on the label or sticker, on a clear plain background of a distinctly contrasting color, in uncondensed gothic capital letters, the letters to be not less than twenty-four-point size unless there is on the label no other type so large, in which event the type shall not be smaller than the largest type on the label; and

(4) Directions for treatment in case of accidental personal injury by the dangerous caustic or corrosive substance.

HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 32-1801; 1952 Code Section 32-1801; 1942 Code Section 5128-26; 1932 Code Section 1451; 1924 (33) 1127.

SECTION 44-53-1220.Sale of caustic or corrosive substance in misbranded parcel, package, or container prohibited.

No person shall sell, barter, exchange, receive, hold, pack or display or offer for sale, barter or exchange in the State any dangerous caustic or corrosive substance in a misbranded parcel, package or container designed for household use.

HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 32-1802; 1952 Code Section 32-1802; 1942 Code Section 5128-26; 1932 Code Section 1451; 1924 (33) 1127.

SECTION 44-53-1230.Confiscation of misbranded caustic or corrosive substance parcels, packages, or containers.

Any dangerous caustic or corrosive substance in a misbranded parcel, package or container for household use that is being sold, bartered or exchanged or held, displayed or offered for sale, barter or exchange shall be liable to be proceeded against in any magistrate's court and seized for confiscation in a manner provided by law. If such substance is condemned as misbranded by such court, it shall be disposed of by destruction or sale, as the court may direct, and, if sold, the proceeds less the actual costs and charges shall be paid over to the magistrate. But such substance shall not be sold contrary to the provisions of the laws of the State. Such proceedings shall conform as near as may be to the law providing for confiscating goods exposed for sale on Sunday.

But upon the payment of the costs of such proceedings and the execution and delivery of a good and sufficient bond to the effect that such substance will not be unlawfully sold or otherwise disposed of, the court may by order direct that such substance be delivered to the owner thereof.

HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 32-1803; 1952 Code Section 32-1803; 1942 Code Section 5128-26; 1932 Code Section 1451; 1924 (33) 1127.

SECTION 44-53-1240.Enforcement; approval of brands and labels.

The sheriff, deputy sheriffs and other peace officers shall enforce the provisions of this article and may approve and register such brands and labels intended for use under the provisions of this article as may be submitted to them for that purpose and as may in their judgment conform to the requirements of this article. But in any prosecution under this article the fact that any brand or label involved in the prosecution has not been submitted to the sheriff, a deputy sheriff or a peace officer to whom there is presented, or who in any way procures, satisfactory evidence of any violation of the provisions of this article shall cause appropriate proceedings to be commenced and prosecuted, without delay, for the enforcement of the penalties in such cases herein provided.

HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 32-1804; 1952 Code Section 32-1804; 1942 Code Section 5128-26; 1932 Code Section 1451; 1924 (33) 1127.

SECTION 44-53-1250.Penalties.

Any person violating the provisions of this article shall, upon conviction thereof, be punished by a fine of not more than one hundred dollars or by imprisonment for not more than ninety days, or by both such fine and imprisonment, in the discretion of the court.

HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 32-1805; 1952 Code Section 32-1805; 1942 Code Section 5128-26; 1932 Code Section 1451; 1924 (33) 1127.



SECTION 44-53-1310.Short title.

This article may be cited as the "Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention and Control Act".

HISTORY: 1979 Act No. 78, Section 1; 2005 Act No. 142, Section 1, eff June 7, 2005.

SECTION 44-53-1320.Definitions.

As used in this article, unless the context requires otherwise:

(1) "Accessible surface" means any protruding interior or exterior surface that a child can mouth or chew including, but not limited to, an interior windowsill.

(2) "Child" or "children" means a person under six years of age.

(3) "Childcare facility" means a structure or portion of a structure in which children are present on a regular basis, including a structure used as a school, nursery, childcare facility, or other facility catering to the needs of children, including an outbuilding, fencing, or other structure used in conjunction with the structure.

(4) "Department" means the Department of Health and Environmental Control.

(5) "Dwelling" means a structure, all or part of which is designed or used for human habitation, including a primary residence, secondary residence, outbuilding, fencing, or other structure used in conjunction with the structure.

(6) "Dwelling unit" means a room, group of rooms, or other areas of a dwelling.

(7) "Friction surface" means an interior or exterior surface subject to abrasion or friction including, but not limited to, a window or stair tread.

(8) "Householder" means the occupant of a dwelling or dwelling unit or the occupant's agent, the owner of an unoccupied dwelling unit or the owner's agent, or the owner or occupant of a childcare facility or the owner's or occupant's agent.

(9) "Impact surface" means an interior or exterior surface subject to damage by repeated impact on contact including, but not limited to, doors and door jambs.

(10) "Lead-based hazard" means a condition that causes exposure to lead from lead-contaminated paint, lead-contaminated dust, bare lead-contaminated soil, or other lead-based substance that is deteriorated in accessible surfaces, friction surfaces, or impact surfaces that would result in adverse human health effects.

(11) "Lead-base substance" means paint, lacquer, glaze, or other material containing more than six hundredths of one percent (0.06 percent) lead by weight, or seven-tenths or more milligrams per square centimeter (0.7 mg/cm2) of lead in the dried paint film applied. Standards for lead-contaminated dust and lead-contaminated soil must be the same as those established by the United States Environmental Protection Agency.

(12) "Person" means an individual, firm, corporation, association, trust, or partnership.

(13) "Lead poisoning" means a blood lead level at an elevation hazardous to health as established by the Department of Health and Environmental Control.

HISTORY: 1979 Act No. 78, Section 2; 1993 Act No. 181, Section 1117; 2005 Act No. 142, Section 1, eff June 7, 2005.

SECTION 44-53-1350.Exemptions.

The provisions of this article do not apply to items that are exempt pursuant to federal law.

HISTORY: 1979 Act No. 78, Section 5; 2005 Act No. 142, Section 1, eff June 7, 2005.

SECTION 44-53-1360.Program for early diagnosis of cases of childhood lead poisoning; examinations; records.

(A) The department may establish a program for the early diagnosis of cases of childhood lead poisoning. The program must provide for systematic examination for lead poisoning of children at risk residing within the State. Examinations must be made by such means and at such intervals as the department determines to be medically necessary.

The program must give priority in examinations to those children residing, or who have recently resided, in areas where significant numbers of lead poisoning cases have been reported recently or where other reliable evidence indicates that significant numbers of lead poisoning cases may be found.

(B) When the department is notified of a case of lead poisoning, the department shall examine or refer for examination within thirty days all other children under six years of age, and other children as the department finds advisable to examine, residing or recently residing in the household of the victim or in all other dwelling units in the dwelling of the victim or in a childcare facility occupied by the victim, unless the parents or guardian of the child objects to the examination because it conflicts with his or her religious beliefs or practices.

The department shall maintain comprehensive records of all examinations conducted pursuant to this section. These records are strictly confidential and may not be released except as required by law or by court order.

HISTORY: 1979 Act No. 78, Section 6; 1993 Act No. 181, Section 1119; 2005 Act No. 142, Section 1, eff June 7, 2005.

SECTION 44-53-1370.Childhood lead poisoning prevention education program.

The department may institute a childhood lead poisoning prevention education program. The program shall emphasize the dangers and sources of lead poisoning and the methods of lead poisoning prevention and lead-based hazard remediation.

HISTORY: 1979 Act No. 78, Section 7; 2005 Act No. 142, Section 1, eff June 7, 2005.

SECTION 44-53-1380.Notification of incidents of lead poisoning.

(A) If a physician, hospital, public health nurse, or other diagnosing person or agency knows or has reason to believe that a child he or she examines or treats has or is suspected of having lead poisoning, the person shall notify the department within seven days. The department shall specify the procedure to be followed and shall provide the necessary forms.

(B) A laboratory doing business in this State shall notify the department of the results of any blood lead analyses conducted on children under six years of age; this notification must be submitted to the department within thirty days of completion of the analysis.

HISTORY: 1979 Act No. 78, Section 8; 1993 Act No. 181, Section 1120; 2005 Act No. 142, Section 1, eff June 7, 2005.

SECTION 44-53-1390.Investigation of lead poisoning case reports; right of entry.

When the department is notified of a lead poisoning case, the department, upon presentation of the appropriate credentials to the householder, and with the consent of the householder or his agent, may enter a dwelling, dwelling unit, or childcare facility at reasonable times and in a reasonable manner for the purpose of conducting a lead-based hazard investigation and may remove samples of objects necessary for laboratory analysis. If the householder refuses admission to the premises, the department may obtain an administrative warrant from a court of competent jurisdiction to investigate the premises. This section also applies to secondary residences and any other premises routinely occupied by the child.

HISTORY: 1979 Act No. 78, Section 9; 1993 Act No. 181, Section 1121; 2005 Act No. 142, Section 1, eff June 7, 2005.

SECTION 44-53-1400.Warrants for purpose of conducting investigation; oath or affirmation showing probable cause; contents of warrant.

The issuance and execution of an administrative warrant to investigate must be as follows:

(1) A judge or magistrate of a court having jurisdiction where the investigation is to be conducted, upon proper oath or affirmation showing probable cause, may issue warrants for the purpose of conducting investigations authorized by this article or regulations promulgated pursuant to this article and removing samples of objects from the premises appropriate to the investigations. For the purpose of this section, "probable cause" exists when the circumstances indicate there is reason to believe a child has been exposed or is at risk of being exposed to a lead-based hazard at the premises specified in the warrant.

(2) A warrant must be issued only upon an affidavit of a department employee designated and having knowledge of the facts alleged, sworn to before the judge or magistrate and establishing the grounds for issuing the warrant. If the judge or magistrate is satisfied that grounds for the application exist or that there is probable cause to believe they exist, the judge or magistrate shall issue a warrant identifying the area, premises, building, or conveyance to be investigated, the purpose of the investigation, and, where appropriate, the type of property to be investigated. The warrant must authorize the removal of samples of objects for laboratory analysis, where appropriate. The warrant must be directed to a designated department employee to execute it. The warrant must state the grounds for issuance and the name of the person or persons whose affidavit has been taken in support of the warrant. The warrant must command the person to whom it is directed to investigate the area, premises, building, or conveyance identified for the purpose specified and, where appropriate, authorize removal of samples of objects for laboratory analysis. The warrant must direct that it be served during reasonable hours and must designate the judge or magistrate to whom it must be returned.

(3) A warrant issued pursuant to this section must be executed and returned within ten days of the date of issuance.

(4) The judge or magistrate who has issued a warrant under this section shall attach to the warrant a copy of the return and all papers filed in connection with the warrant and shall cause these papers to be filed with the court which issued the warrant.

HISTORY: 1979 Act No. 78, Section 10; 2005 Act No. 142, Section 1, eff June 7, 2005.

SECTION 44-53-1430.Notice of identification of lead-based hazard; order that it be remediated; appeals.

(A) If a child resides in a dwelling or dwelling unit or is routinely present at a childcare facility in which a lead-based hazard has been identified, the department shall:

(1) post in or upon the dwelling, dwelling unit, or childcare facility, in a conspicuous place, notice of the existence of the hazard. The notice must not be removed until the department determines that the identified lead-based hazard has been remediated.

(2) give written notice of the existence of the lead-based hazard to the householder occupying the dwelling, dwelling unit, or childcare facility.

(3) give written notice of the existence of the lead-based hazard to the property owner and order that the hazard be remediated within a reasonable period of time.

(B) The property owner of a building subject to this article has the right to appeal the order of the department as a contested case.

HISTORY: 1979 Act No. 78, Section 13; 1993 Act No. 181, Section 1122; 2005 Act No. 142, Section 1, eff June 7, 2005.

SECTION 44-53-1440.Restriction on rental; existing occupants.

A person must not rent or offer for occupancy a dwelling or dwelling unit to be occupied by children which has been posted and ordered remediated of lead-based hazards until the identified hazards have been remediated. If the presence of the lead-based hazard becomes known when the dwelling or dwelling unit is already rented to a family with children, the family of the children must not be evicted for that reason.

HISTORY: 1979 Act No. 78, Section 14; 1993 Act No. 181, Section 1123; 2005 Act No. 142, Section 1, eff June 7, 2005.

SECTION 44-53-1450.Regulations.

The department may promulgate regulations as necessary to carry out the intent and provisions of this article.

HISTORY: 1979 Act No. 78, Section 15; 1993 Act No. 181, Section 1124; 2005 Act No. 142, Section 1, eff June 7, 2005.

SECTION 44-53-1460.Legal actions not affected.

Nothing in this article may be interpreted or applied in any manner to defeat or impair the right of a person, municipality, or other political entity to maintain an action or suit for damages sustained, or equitable relief of, for violation of an ordinance by reason of, or in connection with, a violation of this article.

HISTORY: 1979 Act No. 78, Section 16; 2005 Act No. 142, Section 1, eff June 7, 2005.

SECTION 44-53-1480.Penalties.

A person who knowingly violates a provision of this article or an order of the department issued pursuant to this article is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be fined or imprisoned not more than the maximum allowed by the magistrates' courts in this State. Each day's violation constitutes a separate offense. Isolated lead-based hazard violations existing in dwellings, dwelling units, or childcare facilities must be considered separate violations.

HISTORY: 1979 Act No. 78, Section 18; 2005 Act No. 142, Section 1, eff June 7, 2005.

SECTION 44-53-1485.Civil penalties.

A person who violates a provision of this article or a final determination or order of the department issued pursuant to this article is subject to a civil penalty not to exceed one thousand dollars a day.

HISTORY: 2005 Act No. 142, Section 1, eff June 7, 2005.

SECTION 44-53-1490.Private causes of action; action by municipality.

(A) A violation of this article does not give rise to a private cause of action. However, this article does not prohibit a person from commencing an action for damages or injunctive relief pursuant to other law; and this article does not prohibit an action by a municipality or other governmental entity for damages or injunctive relief or an action authorized by other law or regulation.

(B) This section does not prohibit the introduction of evidence of failure to comply with the provisions of this article in establishing the appropriate standard of care in the other action.

HISTORY: 2005 Act No. 142, Section 1, eff June 7, 2005.

SECTION 44-53-1495.Funding contingency.

The provisions of this article are contingent upon the appropriation of state general funds or the availability of financial support from other sources.

HISTORY: 2005 Act No. 142, Section 1, eff June 7, 2005.



SECTION 44-53-1510.Definition of "anabolic steroid"; exceptions.

(A) The term "anabolic steroid" includes any of the following or any isomer, ester, salt, or derivative of the following that acts in the same manner on the human body:

(1) clostebol;

(2) dehydrochlormethyltestosterone;

(3) ethylestrenol;

(4) fluoxymesterone;

(5) mesterolone;

(6) methandienone;

(7) methandrostenolone;

(8) methenolone;

(9) methyltestosterone;

(10) nandrolone;

(11) norethandrolone;

(12) oxandrolone;

(13) oxymesterone;

(14) oxymetholone;

(15) stanozolol; and

(16) testosterone.

(B) Anabolic steroids that are expressly intended for administration through implants to cattle or other nonhuman species, and that are approved by the federal Food and Drug Administration for this use, are not considered anabolic steroids as defined by this article and are not governed by its provisions.

HISTORY: 1989 Act No. 115, Section 1.

SECTION 44-53-1520.Unprofessional conduct to dispense under certain circumstances.

It is unprofessional conduct, and is not a valid medical purpose, for a practitioner or veterinarian to prescribe, dispense, or administer an anabolic steroid, or a pharmacist to dispense an anabolic steroid, for the purpose of the hormonal manipulation that is intended to increase muscle mass, strength, or weight without a medical necessity to do so, or for the intended purpose of improving performance in any form of exercise, sport, or game.

HISTORY: 1989 Act No. 115, Section 1.

SECTION 44-53-1530.Possessing anabolic steroids without a prescription, or prescribing anabolic steroids, by nonpractitioner, pharmacist, or veterinarian unlawful; penalties.

It is unlawful for any person who is not a practitioner, pharmacist, or veterinarian to knowingly or intentionally possess anabolic steroids as defined in this article unless the steroids were obtained directly from, or pursuant to a valid prescription or order of, a practitioner while acting in the course of his professional practice. It is unlawful for any person who is not a practitioner, pharmacist, or veterinarian to knowingly or intentionally prescribe, dispense, deliver, or administer anabolic steroids to a person. Any person who violates this article with respect to:

(1) prescription, dispensation, delivery, or administration of an anabolic steroid, or delivery of an anabolic steroid to a person for human use without any purpose other than a valid medical purpose, or the sale or delivery of an anabolic steroid to a person for human use without a valid prescription, or the prescription, dispensation, delivery, or administration of an anabolic steroid to a person by any person who is not a practitioner, pharmacist, or veterinarian, is guilty of a felony and, upon conviction, must be punished as follows:

(a) for a first offense, imprisoned for a term not to exceed five years or fined in an amount not to exceed five thousand dollars, or both;

(b) for a second or subsequent offense, imprisoned for a term not to exceed ten years or fined in an amount not to exceed ten thousand dollars, or both;

(2) possession of ten or fewer dosage units of anabolic steroids without a valid prescription is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be punished as follows:

(a) for a first offense, imprisoned for a term not to exceed six months or fined in an amount not to exceed one thousand dollars;

(b) for a second or subsequent offense, imprisoned for a term not to exceed one year or fined in an amount not to exceed two thousand dollars, or both;

(3) possession of more than ten but fewer than one hundred dosage-units of anabolic steroids without a valid prescription is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be punished as follows:

(a) for a first offense, imprisoned for a term not to exceed one year or fined in an amount not to exceed two thousand dollars, or both;

(b) for a second or subsequent offense, imprisoned for a term not to exceed two years or fined in an amount not to exceed three thousand dollars, or both;

(4) possession of more than one hundred dosage-units of anabolic steroids without a valid prescription is guilty of a felony and, upon conviction, must be punished as follows:

(a) for a first offense, imprisoned for a term not to exceed five years or fined in an amount not to exceed five thousand dollars, or both;

(b) for a second or subsequent offense, imprisoned for a term not to exceed ten years or fined in an amount not to exceed ten thousand dollars, or both.

HISTORY: 1989 Act No. 115, Section 1.

SECTION 44-53-1550.What constitutes a prior offense.

For purposes of determining whether or not a person has committed a second or subsequent offense under the provisions of this article, a violation of any other provision of this article or provision of law of the United States or any state, territory, or district, relating to an anabolic steroid, constitutes a prior offense.

HISTORY: 1989 Act No. 115, Section 1.



SECTION 44-53-1610.Citation of article.

This article may be cited as the "South Carolina Prescription Monitoring Act".

HISTORY: 2006 Act No. 396, Section 1, eff June 14, 2006.

SECTION 44-53-1620.Purpose.

This article is intended to improve the state's ability to identify and stop diversion of prescription drugs in an efficient and cost effective manner that will not impede the appropriate medical utilization of licit controlled substances.

HISTORY: 2006 Act No. 396, Section 1, eff June 14, 2006.

SECTION 44-53-1630.Definitions.

As used in this article:

(1) "Authorized delegate" means an individual who is approved as having access to the prescription monitoring program and who is directly supervised by an authorized practitioner or pharmacist.

(2) "Controlled substances" means those substances listed in Schedules II, III, and IV of the schedules provided for in Sections 44-53-210, 44-53-230, 44-53-250, and 44-53-270.

(3) "Dispenser" means a person who delivers a Schedule II-IV controlled substance to the ultimate user, but does not include:

(a) a licensed hospital pharmacy that distributes controlled substances for the purpose of inpatient hospital care or dispenses prescriptions for controlled substances at the time of discharge from the hospital;

(b) a practitioner or other authorized person who administers these controlled substances; or

(c) a wholesale distributor of a Schedule II-IV controlled substance.

(4) "Drug control" means the Department of Health and Environmental Control, Bureau of Drug Control.

(5) "Patient" means the person or animal who is the ultimate user of a drug for whom a prescription is issued or for whom a drug is dispensed, or both.

(6) "Practitioner" means an individual authorized pursuant to state and federal law to prescribe controlled substances.

HISTORY: 2006 Act No. 396, Section 1, eff June 14, 2006; 2014 Act No. 244 (S.840), Section 1, eff June 6, 2014; 2017 Act No. 91 (H.3824), Section 2, eff May 19, 2017.

Effect of Amendment

2017 Act No. 91, Section 2, in the introductory paragraph, substituted "article" for "section"; redesignated (5), relating to the definition of authorized delegate, as (1), and redesignated accordingly; and added (6), relating to the definition of practitioner.

SECTION 44-53-1640.Authority to establish and maintain prescription monitoring program; electronic submission of information by dispensers; exemptions.

(A) The Department of Health and Environmental Control, Bureau of Drug Control shall establish and maintain a program to monitor the prescribing and dispensing of all Schedule II, III, and IV controlled substances by professionals licensed to prescribe or dispense these substances in this State and the administering of opioid antidotes pursuant to Sections 44-130-60 and 44-130-80.

(B)(1) A dispenser shall submit to drug control, by electronic means, information regarding each prescription dispensed for a controlled substance. The following information must be submitted for each prescription:

(a) dispenser DEA registration number;

(b) date drug was dispensed;

(c) prescription number;

(d) whether prescription is new or a refill;

(e) NDC code for drug dispensed;

(f) quantity dispensed;

(g) approximate number of days supplied;

(h) patient name;

(i) patient address;

(j) patient date of birth;

(k) prescriber DEA registration number;

(l) date prescription issued by prescriber.

(2) A dispenser shall submit daily to the department the information required pursuant to subsection (B)(1) in accordance with transmission methods and protocols provided in the latest edition of the "ASAP Telecommunications Format for Controlled Substances", developed by the American Society for Automation in Pharmacy.

(3) Drug control may issue a waiver to a dispenser who is unable to submit prescription information by electronic means. The waiver may permit the dispenser to submit prescription information by paper form or other means if all information required pursuant to subsection (B)(1) is submitted in this alternative format.

HISTORY: 2006 Act No. 396, Section 1, eff June 14, 2006; 2014 Act No. 244 (S.840), Section 2, eff June 6, 2014; 2017 Act No. 91 (H.3824), Section 3, eff May 19, 2017; 2019 Act No. 65 (H.3728), Section 3, eff January 1, 2021.

Editor's Note

2019 Act No. 65, preamble, provides as follows:

"Whereas, the South Carolina General Assembly is committed to combatting the opioid epidemic occurring within this State; and

"Whereas, the South Carolina General Assembly has enacted and is working to enact legislation aimed at stemming the misuse of opioids in South Carolina; and

"Whereas, collecting information related to opioid use and misuse helps those working to better understand the complexities of substance abuse disorders and enables those working with patients suffering from this disease to develop strategies for treatment, education, and care; and

"Whereas, the purpose of this legislation is to provide data to health care professionals treating patients who have been diagnosed with an opioid overdose and received an antidote in response to that overdose; and

"Whereas, the South Carolina General Assembly intends for the information collected pursuant to this law to be used by health care professionals to assist patients in getting appropriate treatment including, but not limited to, treatment for substance abuse disorder; and

"Whereas, the General Assembly intends further that the information collected pursuant to this law should not be used as the sole determining factor in a decision regarding whether to treat or refuse to treat a patient suffering from an opioid misuse. Now, therefore, [text of act]."

Effect of Amendment

2017 Act No. 91, Section 3, in (A), substituted "shall establish" for "may establish".

2019 Act No. 65, Section 3, in (A), added "and the administering of opioid antidotes pursuant to Sections 44-130-60 and 44-130-80" at the end.

SECTION 44-53-1645.Requirement to review patient's prescription history.

(A) A practitioner, or the practitioner's authorized delegate, shall review a patient's controlled substance prescription history and history of the administering of an opioid antidote to the patient pursuant to Section 44-130-60 or 44-130-80, as maintained in the prescription monitoring program, before the practitioner issues a prescription for a Schedule II controlled substance. If an authorized delegate reviews a patient's controlled substance prescription history and history of the administering of an opioid antidote to the patient as provided in this subsection, the practitioner must consult with the authorized delegate regarding the prescription and opioid antidote administering history before issuing a prescription for a Schedule II controlled substance. The consultation must be documented in the patient's medical record.

(B) The requirements of this section do not apply to:

(1) a practitioner issuing a prescription for a Schedule II controlled substance to treat a hospice-certified patient;

(2) a practitioner issuing a prescription for a Schedule II controlled substance that does not exceed a five-day supply for a patient;

(3) a practitioner prescribing a Schedule II controlled substance for a patient with whom the practitioner has an established relationship for the treatment of a chronic condition; however, the practitioner must review the patient's controlled substance history maintained in the prescription monitoring program at least every three months;

(4) a practitioner approving the administration of a Schedule II controlled substance by a health care provider licensed in South Carolina;

(5) a practitioner prescribing a Schedule II controlled substance for a patient in a skilled nursing facility, nursing home, community residential care facility, or an assisted living facility and the patient's medications are stored, given, and monitored by staff; or

(6) a practitioner who is temporarily unable to access the prescription monitoring program due to exigent circumstances; however, the exigent circumstances and the potential adverse impact to the patient if the prescription is not issued timely must be documented in the patient's medical record.

(C) A practitioner is deemed to be in compliance with this section if the practitioner utilizes technology that automatically displays the patient's controlled substance prescription history from the prescription monitoring program in the practitioner's electronic medical record system. The practitioner must be able to demonstrate that this technology has been deployed in his practice, but no additional documentation is required in the patient's medical record.

HISTORY: 2017 Act No. 91 (H.3824), Section 1, eff May 19, 2017; 2019 Act No. 65 (H.3728), Section 4, eff January 1, 2021.

Editor's Note

2019 Act No. 65, preamble, provides as follows:

"Whereas, the South Carolina General Assembly is committed to combatting the opioid epidemic occurring within this State; and

"Whereas, the South Carolina General Assembly has enacted and is working to enact legislation aimed at stemming the misuse of opioids in South Carolina; and

"Whereas, collecting information related to opioid use and misuse helps those working to better understand the complexities of substance abuse disorders and enables those working with patients suffering from this disease to develop strategies for treatment, education, and care; and

"Whereas, the purpose of this legislation is to provide data to health care professionals treating patients who have been diagnosed with an opioid overdose and received an antidote in response to that overdose; and

"Whereas, the South Carolina General Assembly intends for the information collected pursuant to this law to be used by health care professionals to assist patients in getting appropriate treatment including, but not limited to, treatment for substance abuse disorder; and

"Whereas, the General Assembly intends further that the information collected pursuant to this law should not be used as the sole determining factor in a decision regarding whether to treat or refuse to treat a patient suffering from an opioid misuse. Now, therefore, [text of act]."

Effect of Amendment

2019 Act No. 65, Section 4, in (A), in the first sentence, inserted "and history of the administering of an opioid antidote to the patient pursuant to Section 44-130-60 or 44-130-80", and in the second sentence, inserted "and history of the administering of an opioid antidote to the patient as provided in this subsection" and "and opioid antidote administering".

SECTION 44-53-1650.Confidentiality; persons to whom data may be released.

(A) Prescription information submitted to drug control is confidential and not subject to public disclosure under the Freedom of Information Act or any other provision of law, except as provided in subsections (C) and (D).

(B) Drug control shall maintain procedures to ensure that the privacy and confidentiality of patients and patient information collected, recorded, transmitted, and maintained is not disclosed, except as provided for in subsections (C) and (D).

(C) If there is reasonable cause to believe a violation of law or breach of professional standards may have occurred, drug control shall notify the appropriate law enforcement or professional licensure, certification, or regulatory agency or entity and shall provide prescription information required for an investigation.

(D) Drug control may provide data in the prescription monitoring program to the following persons:

(1) a practitioner or pharmacist or authorized delegate who requests information and certifies that the requested information is for the purpose of providing medical or pharmaceutical treatment to a bona fide patient;

(2) an individual who requests the individual's own prescription monitoring information in accordance with procedures established pursuant to state law;

(3) a designated representative of the South Carolina Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation responsible for the licensure, regulation, or discipline of practitioners, pharmacists, or other persons authorized to prescribe, administer, or dispense controlled substances and who is involved in a bona fide specific investigation involving a designated person;

(4) a local, state, or federal law enforcement or prosecutorial official engaged in the administration, investigation, or enforcement of the laws governing licit drugs and who is involved in a bona fide specific drug-related investigation involving a designated person;

(5) the South Carolina Department of Health and Human Services regarding Medicaid program recipients;

(6) a properly convened grand jury pursuant to a subpoena properly issued for the records;

(7) personnel of drug control for purposes of administration and enforcement of this article;

(8) qualified personnel for the purpose of bona fide research or education; however, data elements that would reasonably identify a specific recipient, prescriber, or dispenser must be deleted or redacted from such information prior to disclosure. Further, release of the information only may be made pursuant to a written agreement between qualified personnel and the department in order to ensure compliance with this subsection;

(9) a coroner, deputy coroner, medical examiner, or deputy medical examiner who is involved in a specific inquiry into the cause and manner of death of a designated person pursuant to Chapter 5, Title 17;

(10) a practitioner in a prescription report card provided to practitioners in accordance with Section 44-53-1655; and

(11) the presiding judge of a drug court pertaining to a specific case involving a designated person.

HISTORY: 2006 Act No. 396, Section 1, eff June 14, 2006; 2014 Act No. 244 (S.840), Section 3, eff June 6, 2014; 2018 Act No. 168 (H.4488), Section 1, eff May 3, 2018; 2018 Act No. 201 (S.918), Section 3, eff May 15, 2018; 2018 Act No. 212 (H.4117), Section 1, eff May 18, 2018.

Code Commissioner's Note

At the direction of the Code Commissioner, the amendments to (D) made by 2018 Act No. 168, 2018 Act No. 201, and 2018 Act No. 212 were read together and renumbered appropriately.

Effect of Amendment

2018 Act No. 168, Section 1, in (D), added (9), authorizing drug control to provide coroners and medical examiners data maintained in the prescription drug monitoring program, and made nonsubstantive changes.

2018 Act No. 201, Section 3, in (D), added (10), authorizing drug control to provide practitioners in a prescription report card data maintained in the prescription drug monitoring program.

2018 Act No. 212, Section 1, in (D), added (11), authorizing drug control to provide presiding judges of drug courts data maintained in the prescription drug monitoring program.

SECTION 44-53-1655.Practitioner prescription report cards.

(A) The department shall develop and maintain as part of the prescription monitoring program a system to provide prescription report cards to practitioners to inform the practitioner about certain prescribing trends. The report card must provide, at a minimum:

(1) a comparison of the practitioner's number of prescriptions issued per month by therapeutic class code or by specific substances to peer averages by specialty throughout the State;

(2) a comparison of the practitioner's number of milligrams prescribed per month by therapeutic class code or by specific substances to peer averages by specialty throughout the State;

(3) the total number of patients receiving ninety morphine milligram equivalents (MMEs) or more a day;

(4) the total number of patients receiving opioid medications for thirty days or more;

(5) the total number of patients receiving opioids and benzodiazepines medications at the same time;

(6) the total number of patients issued prescriptions from three or more practitioners;

(7) the total number of patients filling prescriptions at three or more pharmacies;

(8) the total number of patients with controlled substance prescriptions whose dispensing dates overlap;

(9) the total number of patients obtaining refills on their prescriptions more than one week early; and

(10) the total number of prescription drug monitoring program queries made by the practitioner and a ratio of the queries to the number of patients or prescriptions issued.

The report card also must provide data on the number of practitioners registered against which the comparisons of items (1) and (2) are being made and any other demographic data relating to the pool of practitioners and may include regional or nationwide prescribing comparison data that would be useful to the practitioner. Prescription report cards, data, documents, records, and any other information accessed or compiled in preparing prescription report cards, are confidential and not subject to discovery, subpoena, or introduction into evidence in any civil action, unless confidentiality is waived by the practitioner.

(B) The department shall coordinate with the Board of Medical Examiners and any other appropriate professional boards as part of the development and implementation of a prescription report card program. The department may contract with another agency of the State or with a private vendor, as necessary, to ensure effective operation of the report card program, as provided in Section 44-53-1660, and may apply for public or private grants or other funding to develop, implement, and maintain the program.

HISTORY: 2018 Act No. 201 (S.918), Section 2, eff November 15, 2018.

Editor's Note

2018 Act No. 201, Section 4, provides as follows:

"SECTION 4. SECTION 2 is effective six months after the effective date of this act. All other SECTIONS are effective upon approval by the Governor."

SECTION 44-53-1660.Contract for administration by other state agency or private vendor.

Drug control may contract with another agency of this State or with a private vendor, as necessary, to ensure the effective operation of the prescription monitoring program. A contractor shall comply with the provisions regarding confidentiality of prescription information in Section 44-53-1650 and is subject to the penalties specified in Section 44-53-1680 for unlawful acts.

HISTORY: 2006 Act No. 396, Section 1, eff June 14, 2006.

SECTION 44-53-1670.Promulgation of regulations.

Drug control may promulgate regulations setting forth the procedures and methods for implementing this article.

HISTORY: 2006 Act No. 396, Section 1, eff June 14, 2006.

SECTION 44-53-1680.Violations and penalties.

(A) A dispenser or authorized delegate who knowingly fails to submit prescription monitoring information to drug control as required by this article, or who knowingly submits incorrect prescription information, is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be fined not more than two thousand dollars or imprisoned not more than two years, or both.

(B) A person who knowingly discloses prescription monitoring information in violation of this article is guilty of a felony and, upon conviction, must be fined not more than ten thousand dollars or imprisoned not more than ten years, or both.

(C) A person who knowingly uses prescription monitoring information in a manner or for a purpose in violation of this article is guilty of a felony and, upon conviction, must be fined not more than ten thousand dollars or imprisoned not more than ten years, or both.

(D) A pharmacist or practitioner, licensed in Title 40, who knowingly discloses prescription monitoring information in a manner or for a purpose in violation of this article shall be reported to his respective board for disciplinary action.

(E) Nothing in this chapter requires a pharmacist to obtain information about a patient from the prescription monitoring program. A practitioner or authorized delegate of a practitioner who knowingly fails to review a patient's controlled substance prescription history, as maintained in the prescription monitoring program, or a practitioner who knowingly fails to consult with his authorized delegate regarding a patient's controlled substance prescription history before issuing a prescription for a Schedule II controlled substance, as required by this article, must be reported to his respective board for disciplinary action.

(F) A pharmacist or practitioner does not have a duty and must not be held liable in damages to any person in any civil or derivative criminal or administrative action for injury, death, or loss to person or property on the basis that the pharmacist or practitioner did or did not seek or obtain information from the prescription monitoring program. A pharmacist or practitioner acting in good faith is immune from any civil, criminal, or administrative liability that might otherwise be incurred or imposed for requesting or receiving information from the prescription monitoring program.

HISTORY: 2006 Act No. 396, Section 1, eff June 14, 2006; 2014 Act No. 244 (S.840), Section 4, eff June 6, 2014; 2017 Act No. 91 (H.3824), Section 4, eff May 19, 2017.

Effect of Amendment

2017 Act No. 91, Section 4, amended the section, establishing a penalty if a practitioner or authorized delegate fails to review a patient's controlled substance prescription history before prescribing a schedule II controlled substance.



SECTION 44-53-1810.Definitions.

As used in this article:

(1) "Academic medical center" means a research hospital that operates a medical residency program for physicians and conducts research that involves human subjects, and other hospital research programs conducting research as a subrecipient with the academic medical center as the prime awardee.

(2) "Approved source" means a provider approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration which produces cannabidiol that:

(a) has been manufactured and tested in a facility approved or certified by the United States Food and Drug Administration or similar national regulatory agency in another country which has been approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration; and

(b) has been tested in animals to demonstrate preliminary effectiveness and to ensure that it is safe to administer to humans.

(3) "Cannabidiol" means a finished preparation containing, of its total cannabinoid content, at least 98 percent cannabidiol and not more than 0.90 percent tetrahydrocannabinol by volume that has been extracted from marijuana or synthesized in a laboratory.

(4) "Designated caregiver" means a person who provides informal or formal care to a qualifying patient, with or without compensation, on a temporary or permanent or full-time or part-time basis and includes a relative, household member, day care personnel, and personnel of a public or private institution or facility.

(5) "Pharmacist" means an individual health care provider licensed by this State to engage in the practice of pharmacy.

(6) "Physician" means a doctor of medicine or doctor of osteopathic medicine licensed by the South Carolina Board of Medical Examiners.

(7) "Qualifying patient" means anyone who suffers from Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome, Dravet Syndrome, also known as severe myoclonic epilepsy of infancy, or any other form of refractory epilepsy that is not adequately treated by traditional medical therapies.

HISTORY: 2014 Act No. 221 (S.1035), Section 2, eff June 2, 2014.

SECTION 44-53-1820.FDA approved clinical trials to treat patients who have certain forms of epilepsy with cannabidiol; principal investigators; subinvestigators.

(A) A statewide investigational new drug application may be established in this State, if approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration to conduct expanded access clinical trials using cannabidiol on qualifying patients with severe forms of epilepsy.

(B) Any physician who is board certified and practicing in an academic medical center in this State and treating patients with severe forms of epilepsy may serve as the principal investigator for such clinical trials if such physician:

(1) applies to and is approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration as the principal investigator in a statewide investigational new drug application; and

(2) receives a license from the United States Drug Enforcement Administration.

(C) Such physician, acting as principal investigator, may include subinvestigators who are also board certified and who practice in an academic medical center in this State and treat patients with severe forms of epilepsy. Such subinvestigators shall comply with subsection (B)(2) of this section.

(D) The principal investigator and all subinvestigators shall adhere to the rules and regulations established by the relevant institutional review board for each participating academic medical center and by the United States Food and Drug Administration, the United States Drug Enforcement Administration, and the National Institute on Drug Abuse.

(E) Nothing in this article prohibits a physician licensed in South Carolina from applying for Investigational New Drug authorization from the United States Food and Drug Administration.

HISTORY: 2014 Act No. 221 (S.1035), Section 2, eff June 2, 2014.

SECTION 44-53-1830.Cannabidiol for use in clinical trials.

(A) Expanded access clinical trials conducted pursuant to a statewide investigational new drug application established pursuant to this chapter only shall utilize cannabidiol which is:

(1) from an approved source; and

(2) approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration to be used for treatment of a condition specified in an investigational new drug application.

(B) The principal investigator and any subinvestigator may receive cannabidiol directly from an approved source or authorized distributor for an approved source for use in the expanded access clinical trials.

HISTORY: 2014 Act No. 221 (S.1035), Section 2, eff June 2, 2014.

SECTION 44-53-1840.Immunity.

(A) A person acting in compliance with the provisions of this article must not be subject to arrest, prosecution, or any civil or administrative penalty, including a civil penalty or disciplinary action by a professional licensing board, or be denied any right or privilege, for the use, prescription, administration, possession, manufacture, or distribution of medical cannabis.

(B) The State must defend a state employee against a federal claim or suit that arises or by virtue of their good faith performance of official duties pursuant to this article.

HISTORY: 2014 Act No. 221 (S.1035), Section 2, eff June 2, 2014.



SECTION 44-53-1910.Definitions.

As used in this article:

(1) "Controlled substance" has the same meaning as provided in Section 44-53-110.

(2) "Drug or alcohol-related overdose" means an acute condition, including mania, hysteria, extreme physical illness, coma, or death resulting from the consumption or use of a controlled substance, alcohol, or another substance with which a controlled substance or alcohol was combined, that a layperson would reasonably believe to be a drug or alcohol overdose that requires medical assistance.

(3) "Seeks medical assistance" means seeking medical assistance by contacting the 911 system, a law enforcement officer, or emergency services personnel.

HISTORY: 2017 Act No. 95 (S.179), Section 1, eff June 10, 2017.

SECTION 44-53-1920.Limited immunity for a person who seeks medical assistance for another.

(A) A person who seeks medical assistance for another person who appears to be experiencing a drug or alcohol-related overdose may not be prosecuted for any of the offenses listed in subsection (B), if the evidence for prosecution was obtained as a result of the person seeking medical assistance for the apparent overdose on the premises or immediately after seeking medical assistance and the person:

(1) acted in good faith when seeking medical assistance, upon a reasonable belief that he was the first person to call for assistance;

(2) provided his own name to the 911 system or to a law enforcement officer upon arrival; and

(3) did not seek medical assistance during the course of the execution of an arrest warrant, search warrant, or other lawful search.

(B) A person who seeks medical assistance for another person in accordance with the requirements of subsection (A) may not be prosecuted for:

(1) dispensing or delivering a controlled substance in violation of Section 44-53-370(a), when the controlled substance is dispensed or delivered directly to the person who appears to be experiencing a drug-related overdose;

(2) possessing a controlled substance in violation of Section 44-53-370(c);

(3) possessing less than one gram of methamphetamine or cocaine base in violation of Section 44-53-375(A);

(4) dispensing or delivering methamphetamine or cocaine base in violation of Section 44-53-375(B), when the methamphetamine or cocaine base is dispensed or delivered directly to the person who appears to be experiencing a drug-related overdose;

(5) possessing paraphernalia in violation of Section 44-53-391;

(6) selling or delivering paraphernalia in violation of Section 44-53-391, when the sale or delivery is to the person who appears to be experiencing a drug-related overdose;

(7) purchasing, attempting to purchase, consuming, or knowingly possessing alcoholic beverages in violation of Section 63-19-2440;

(8) transferring or giving to a person under the age of twenty-one years for consumption beer or wine in violation of Section 61-4-90; or

(9) contributing to the delinquency of a minor in violation of Section 16-17-490.

(C) If the person seeking medical assistance pursuant to this section previously has sought medical assistance for another person pursuant to this article, the court may consider the circumstances of the prior incidents and the related offenses to determine whether to grant the person immunity from prosecution.

(D) A person described in this section must use his or her own name when contacting authorities, fully cooperate with law enforcement and medical personnel, and must remain with the individual needing medical assistance until help arrives.

HISTORY: 2017 Act No. 95 (S.179), Section 1, eff June 10, 2017.

SECTION 44-53-1930.Limited immunity for overdose victim.

(A) A person who experiences a drug or alcohol-related overdose and is in need of medical assistance may not be prosecuted for any of the offenses listed in Section 44-53-1920 if the evidence for prosecution was obtained as a result of the drug or alcohol-related overdose and need for medical assistance.

(B) A person described in Section 44-53-1920 must use his or her own name when contacting authorities, and fully cooperate with law enforcement and medical personnel.

HISTORY: 2017 Act No. 95 (S.179), Section 1, eff June 10, 2017.

SECTION 44-53-1940.Decision to seek medical assistance a mitigating factor.

The court may consider a person's decision to seek medical assistance pursuant to Section 44-53-1920(A) or 44-53-1930 as a mitigating factor in a criminal prosecution or sentencing for a drug or alcohol-related offense that is not an offense listed in Section 44-53-1920(B).

HISTORY: 2017 Act No. 95 (S.179), Section 1, eff June 10, 2017.

SECTION 44-53-1950.Limitation of immunity to allow prosecution for other crimes arising out of the drug or alcohol-related overdose.

This article does not prohibit a person from being arrested, charged, or prosecuted, or from having his supervision status modified or revoked, based on an offense other than an offense listed in Section 44-53-1920(B), whether or not the offense arises from the same circumstances for which the person sought medical assistance.

HISTORY: 2017 Act No. 95 (S.179), Section 1, eff June 10, 2017.

SECTION 44-53-1960.Construction of article.

Nothing in this article may be construed to:

(1) limit the admissibility of any evidence in connection with the investigation or prosecution of a crime with regard to a defendant who does not qualify for the protections of Section 44-53-1920(A) or with regard to other crimes committed by a person who otherwise qualifies for protection pursuant to Section 44-53-1920(A) or Section 44-53-1930;

(2) limit any seizure of evidence or contraband otherwise permitted by law; or

(3) limit or abridge the authority of a law enforcement officer to detain or take into custody a person in the course of an investigation or to effect an arrest for any offense, except as provided in Section 44-53-1920(A) or Section 44-53-1930.

HISTORY: 2017 Act No. 95 (S.179), Section 1, eff June 10, 2017.

Code Commissioner's Note

At the direction of the Code Commissioner, in the introductory paragraph, "article" was substituted for "section" to correct a scrivener's error.

SECTION 44-53-1970.Civil and criminal immunity for law enforcement officers.

A law enforcement officer who arrests a person for an offense listed in Section 44-53-1920(B) is not subject to criminal prosecution, or civil liability, for false arrest or false imprisonment if the officer made the arrest based on probable cause.

HISTORY: 2017 Act No. 95 (S.179), Section 1, eff June 10, 2017.