35-7-1024. Registration requirements.

(a) 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, must obtain every two (2) years, on or before July 1, a registration issued by the board in accordance with its rules. Any registrant who fails to renew his registration by July 1 of each renewal year shall be charged a late fee. If the failure to renew continues past September 30 of the renewal year, the registration shall be cancelled and the United States drug enforcement administration notified for cancellation of the registrant's federal registration.

(b) Persons registered by the board under this act 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 act:

(i) 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 legitimate business or employment;

(ii) 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;

(iii) 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 board may waive by rule 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 is required at each principal place of business or professional practice where the applicant manufactures, distributes, or dispenses controlled substances.

(f) The board may inspect the establishment of a registrant or applicant for registration in accordance with the rules and regulations promulgated by the board.