Minnesota § 152.12 - HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS MAY PRESCRIBE
Full text of Minnesota Minnesota Statutes § 152.12 — HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS MAY PRESCRIBE, with citation guidance and answers to common questions.
§ 152.12. HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS MAY PRESCRIBE
Subdivision 1.Prescribing, dispensing, administering controlled substances in Schedules II through V.
A licensed doctor of medicine, a doctor of osteopathic medicine, duly licensed to practice medicine, a doctor of dental surgery, a doctor of dental medicine, a licensed doctor of podiatry, a licensed advanced practice registered nurse, a licensed certified midwife, a licensed physician assistant, or a licensed doctor of optometry limited to Schedules IV and V, and in the course of professional practice only, may prescribe, administer, and dispense a controlled substance included in Schedules II through V of section 152.02, may cause the same to be administered by a nurse, an intern or an assistant under the direction and supervision of the doctor, and may cause a person who is an appropriately certified and licensed health care professional to prescribe and administer the same within the expressed legal scope of the person's practice as defined in Minnesota Statutes.
Subd. 2.Doctor of veterinary medicine.
A licensed doctor of veterinary medicine, in good faith, and in the course of professional practice only, and not for use by a human being, may prescribe, administer, and dispense a controlled substance included in Schedules II through V of section 152.02, and may cause the same to be administered by an assistant under the direction and supervision of the doctor.
Subd. 3.Research project use of controlled substances.
Any qualified person may use controlled substances in the course of a bona fide research project but cannot administer or dispense such drugs to human beings unless such drugs are prescribed, dispensed and administered by a person lawfully authorized to do so. Every person who engages in research involving the use of such substances shall apply annually for registration by the state Board of Pharmacy and shall pay any applicable fee specified in section 151.065, provided that such registration shall not be required if the person is covered by and has complied with federal laws covering such research projects.
Subd. 4.Sale of controlled substances not prohibited for certain persons and entities.
Nothing in this chapter shall prohibit the sale to, or the possession of, a controlled substance in Schedule II, III, IV or V by: Registered drug wholesalers, registered manufacturers, registered pharmacies, or any licensed hospital or other licensed institutions wherein sick and injured persons are cared for or treated, or bona fide hospitals wherein animals are treated; or by licensed pharmacists, licensed doctors of medicine, doctors of osteopathic medicine duly licensed to practice medicine, licensed doctors of dental surgery, licensed doctors of dental medicine, licensed doctors of podiatry, licensed doctors of optometry limited to Schedules IV and V, or licensed doctors of veterinary medicine when such practitioners use controlled substances within the course of their professional practice only.
Nothing in this chapter shall prohibit the possession of a controlled substance in Schedule II, III, IV or V by an employee or agent of a registered drug wholesaler, registered manufacturer, or registered pharmacy, while acting in the course of employment; by a patient of a licensed doctor of medicine, a doctor of osteopathic medicine duly licensed to practice medicine, a licensed doctor of dental surgery, a licensed doctor of dental medicine, or a licensed doctor of optometry limited to Schedules IV and V; or by the owner of an animal for which a controlled substance has been prescribed by a licensed doctor of veterinary medicine, when such controlled substances are dispensed according to law.
Subd. 5.Analytical laboratory not prohibited from providing anonymous analysis service.
Nothing in this chapter shall prohibit an analytical laboratory from conducting an anonymous analysis service when such laboratory is registered by the Federal Drug Enforcement Administration, nor prohibit the possession of a controlled substance by an employee or agent of such analytical laboratory while acting in the course of employment.
History:
(3906-15) 1939 c 102 s 5; 1967 c 408 s 8; 1971 c 937 s 16; 1973 c 693 s 8,9; 1974 c 369 s 2; 1986 c 444; 1988 c 440 s 3; 2003 c 62 s 9,10; 1Sp2011 c 9 art 5 s 27; 2014 c 235 s 39; 2016 c 119 s 7; 2020 c 115 art 2 s 27; 1Sp2025 c 3 art 3 s 114
Official Publication of the State of Minnesota
Revisor of Statutes
Source: official Minnesota text · Last verified 2026-08-27
Frequently Asked Questions About Minnesota § 152.12
What does Minnesota Statutes § 152.12 cover?
Section 152.12 ("HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS MAY PRESCRIBE") is part of the Minnesota Statutes, the codified statutory law of Minnesota. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.
How do I cite Minnesota § 152.12?
A common citation format is "Minnesota Statutes § 152.12" (Minnesota). Legal writing may require the code abbreviation, section number, and year or edition. Match the style required by your court, professor, or publisher.
Is this the official text of Minnesota law?
No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the Minnesota official source linked on this page or consult a licensed Minnesota attorney.
How does Minnesota § 152.12 apply to my situation?
Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in Minnesota can advise on how this section applies to you. Contact your state or local bar association for a referral.
Sources & Verification
Not legal advice. Verify against the official source and consult a licensed attorney in Minnesota.