# C.R.S. § 18-18-308: 18-18-308. Prescriptions

> Colorado · Statutes · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_CO_T18_A18_P3_S18-18-308

## Section

- **Citation:** C.R.S. § 18-18-308
- **Heading:** 18-18-308. Prescriptions
- **Jurisdiction:** Colorado
- **Kind:** Statutes
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** August 14, 2026
- **Source:** Compiled text
- **Location:** CO Code / Title 18 / Article 18 / Part 3 / Section 18-18-308

## Text

18-18-308. Prescriptions. (1) As used in this section, "medical treatment" includes dispensing or administering a narcotic drug for pain, including intractable pain.

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

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

(I) The written prescription of a practitioner; or

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

## Nearby sections

- [C.R.S. § 18-18-301 18-18-301. Rules](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_CO_T18_A18_P3_S18-18-301.md)
- [C.R.S. § 18-18-302 18-18-302. Registration requirements - definitions](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_CO_T18_A18_P3_S18-18-302.md)
- [C.R.S. § 18-18-303 18-18-303. Registration](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_CO_T18_A18_P3_S18-18-303.md)
- [C.R.S. § 18-18-304 18-18-304. Suspension or revocation of registration](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_CO_T18_A18_P3_S18-18-304.md)
- [C.R.S. § 18-18-305 18-18-305. Order to show cause](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_CO_T18_A18_P3_S18-18-305.md)
- [C.R.S. § 18-18-306 18-18-306. Records of registrants](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_CO_T18_A18_P3_S18-18-306.md)
- [C.R.S. § 18-18-307 18-18-307. Order forms](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_CO_T18_A18_P3_S18-18-307.md)
- [C.R.S. § 18-18-308 18-18-308. Prescriptions](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_CO_T18_A18_P3_S18-18-308.md)
- [C.R.S. § 18-18-309 18-18-309. Diversion prevention and control](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_CO_T18_A18_P3_S18-18-309.md)

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_CO_T18_A18_P3_S18-18-308. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.