Prescription medications are much different than over-the-counter medications. You cannot just walk into a pharmacy and purchase them. First, you have to get a prescription from a doctor.
This is why it is illegal to sell your prescription drugs to someone else. This is considered a form of illegal drug distribution. Additionally, the person who bought the pills from you would be violating the law in regard to drug possession. Yes, the pills were legally obtained initially, but that right only extends to the person with the prescription and not anyone else.
This means sharing is also prohibited
People often believe that the law is written this way to prevent people from selling drugs and making money off of the sale. While selling your prescription drugs is illegal, but not just because money is changing hands. Sharing prescription medication with no money changing hands is also illegal and can violate both state and federal law.
This can sometimes lead to mistakes where people inadvertently violate the law. Say that a friend hears you complaining about a backache and gives you a painkiller that they were prescribed after they had surgery. They may think they are just trying to help because they know how effective the medication can be, but they have violated the law by giving it to you. You are also violating the law by possessing it or using it without a prescription.
If you find yourself facing drug charges as a result of selling or sharing a prescription medication or being the recipient of someone else’s drugs, be sure you know what legal options you have.