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(a) Any person who manufactures, distributes and dispenses controlled substances in the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, or wishes to dedicate to the manufacturing, distribution and dispensing of controlled substances in the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico shall obtain a registration certification annually, issued by the Secretary of Health, pursuant to the rules and regulations approved and promulgated by said government official.\nThe Secretary shall establish a staggered system for the renewal of the registration certification. Said system shall be designed in such a manner, that each year the application for renewal and the inventories and reports that must be submitted by persons authorized for the manufacturing, distribution and dispensing of controlled substances coincide with the month in which same were inscribed for the first time in the registry. When the date coincides with a holiday, the due date for the renewal and submittal of inventories and reports shall be the next workday.\n(b) Persons registered by the Secretary of Health under this chapter to manufacture, distribute, or dispense controlled substances are authorized to possess, manufacture, distribute or dispense such

n(b) Persons registered by the Secretary of Health under this chapter to manufacture, distribute, or dispense controlled substances are authorized to possess, manufacture, distribute or dispense such substances, and to perform any activity in the course of scientific research to the extent authorized by their registration and in conformity with the other provisions of this chapter.\n(c) The following persons shall not be required to register and may lawfully possess any controlled substance under this chapter:\n(1) An agent of any registered manufacturer, distributor, or dispenser of controlled substances if such agent is acting in the usual course of his business or employment.\n(2) Any common carrier or transport enterprise or warehouseman or an employee thereof, when they lawfully possess a controlled substance in the usual course of their business or employment.\n(3) The ultimate user who possesses any substance for one of the purposes specified in subsection (25) of § 2102 of this title.\n(4) Officers or public employees while fulfilling those official duties requiring the possession or handling of controlled substances.\n(5) Such persons in whose possession are found

of this title.\n(4) Officers or public employees while fulfilling those official duties requiring the possession or handling of controlled substances.\n(5) Such persons in whose possession are found controlled substances for the purpose of assisting law enforcement officers.\n(d) A separate registration in the register and a separate registration certificate shall be required for each main site or place of business or professional practice where the applicant manufactures, distributes or dispenses controlled substances. The registration certificate shall be displayed in a conspicuous place at each main site or place of business or of professional practice where controlled substances are manufactured, distributed or dispensed. The Secretary shall determine which are the main sites or places of business or of professional practice according to the rules established by regulations for such purpose.\n(e) The Secretary of Health is hereby authorized to inspect the establishment of a registrant or applicant for registration in accordance with the rules and regulations approved and promulgated by him.\nHistory —June 23, 1971, No. 4, p. 526, § 302; June 12, 1978, No. 38, p.

nt of a registrant or applicant for registration in accordance with the rules and regulations approved and promulgated by him.\nHistory —June 23, 1971, No. 4, p. 526, § 302; June 12, 1978, No. 38, p. 135, § 2; Sept. 3, 2003, No. 257, § 1, eff. 180 days after Sept. 3, 2003.