TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING SECTION 44-53-377 SO AS TO PROHIBIT THE POSSESSION OF ONE DOSAGE UNIT OR LESS OF A CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE, AND TO PROVIDE PENALTIES.

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:

SECTION    1.    Article 3, Chapter 53, Title 44 of the 1976 Code is amended by adding:

    "Section 44-53-377.    (A)    It is unlawful for a person to knowingly possess one dosage unit or less of a controlled substance or a controlled substance analogue as defined in Section 44-53-110.    (B)    A person who violates the provisions of this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be imprisoned for not more than thirty days or fined not more than five hundred dollars, or both.

    (C)    This offense is a lesser included offense of any possession of a controlled substance offense as defined in Section 44-53-370(c) or Section 44-53-375(A).

    (D)    This section shall not apply if the substance was obtained directly from, or pursuant to a valid prescription or order of, a practitioner while acting in the course of his professional practice, or except as otherwise authorized by this article."

SECTION    2.    This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor.