Many people make the mistake of believing that using legal drugs can’t lead to consequences. There are actually three ways that using a prescription or over-the-counter drug could still be illegal.
1. Prescription That Isn’t Yours
Possessing a prescription drug that wasn’t prescribed to you is against the law. This can also be very dangerous since a doctor isn’t able to see how the substance may interact with other drugs you take or your unique genetic predispositions.
Never buy or use a drug that your doctor didn’t prescribe to you directly.
2. Choosing to Drive
Not everyone realizes it, but driving while under the influence of an impairing substance even counts with over-the-counter medication. If you are instructed that you should not operate heavy machinery while using the drug, it’s important to abide. Many of these drugs can make drivers sleepy, causing them not to focus on the road ahead.
3. Public Intoxication
Certain legal drugs cannot be used in public. In California, this is true of both marijuana and alcohol. In addition to meeting the age limit, users cannot take these substances in public. Alcohol establishments allow the use of alcohol within the establishment, but marijuana is treated like cigarettes and cannot be used in any public establishment.
If you or someone you know is facing charges after being involved in one of these situations, it’s a good idea to seek legal counsel to learn more about your defense options.