(1) Every person who manufactures, distributes, or dispenses any controlled substance within this state, or who proposes to engage in the manufacture, distribution, or dispensing of any controlled substance within this state, shall obtain annually or biannually, if applicable, a registration, issued by the respective licensing board or the department in accordance with rules adopted by such board or by the department. For purposes of this section and this article, "registration" or "registered" means the registering of manufacturers, pharmacists, pharmacies, and humane societies located in this state, and distributors located in or doing business in this state, by the state board of pharmacy as set forth in article 42.5 of title 12, C.R.S., the licensing of physicians by the Colorado medical board, as set forth in article 36 of title 12, C.R.S., the licensing of podiatrists by the Colorado podiatry board, as set forth in article 32 of title 12, C.R.S., the licensing of dentists by the Colorado dental board, as set forth in article 35 of title 12, C.R.S., the licensing of optometrists by the state board of optometry, as set forth in article 40 of title 12, C.R.S., the licensing of veterinarians by the state board of veterinary medicine, as set forth in article 64 of title 12, C.R.S., and the licensing of researchers and addiction programs by the department of human services, as set forth in part 2 of article 80 of title 27, C.R.S.

(2) A person registered by the board or the department under this part 3 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 the registration and in conformity with this article and with article 42.5 of title 12, C.R.S.

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

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

(b) 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;

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

(4) The board or department may waive by rule the requirement for registration of certain manufacturers, distributors, or dispensers upon finding it consistent with the public health and safety.

(5) The board or department may inspect the establishment of a registrant or applicant for registration of those persons they are authorized to register under this part 3 in accordance with rules adopted by the board or department.