# Is codeine OTC in Canada? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [August 3, 2011, 2:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-codeine-otc-in-canada/591325 "2011-08-03T14:54:35Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 15\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![IAmNotSpartacus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/cc9497/32.png) [@IAmNotSpartacus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IAmNotSpartacus)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2011, 2:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-codeine-otc-in-canada/591325/61 "2011-08-11T02:31:33Z")
> [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](#): > > Cite (and the CBP site doesn’t say anything specifically about codeine)? > > This is your big mistake here. It has not been shown that codeine can be brought across the border _without a prescription_. If you’d actually read the cite you’d find this: > [@](#): > > (2) Notwithstanding any exemption under paragraph (1), a United States resident who enters the United States through an international land border with a controlled substance (except a substance in schedule I) for which the individual does not possess a valid prescription issued by a practitioner (as defined in section 802 of this title) in accordance with applicable Federal and State law (or documentation that verifies the issuance of such a prescription to that individual) may not import the controlled substance into the United States in an amount that exceeds 50 dosage units of the controlled substance. ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2011, 2:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-codeine-otc-in-canada/591325/62 "2011-08-11T02:34:55Z")
That only applies to non-narcotics, Holmes. ---
**Author:** ![IAmNotSpartacus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/cc9497/32.png) [@IAmNotSpartacus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IAmNotSpartacus)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2011, 2:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-codeine-otc-in-canada/591325/63 "2011-08-11T02:42:15Z")
> [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](#): > > That only applies to non-narcotics, Holmes. It says this exactly where ? ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2011, 2:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-codeine-otc-in-canada/591325/64 "2011-08-11T02:54:51Z")
[sigh] > [@](#): > > U.S. residents entering the United States at international land borders who are carrying a validly obtained controlled substance ( **other than narcotics** such as marijuana, cocaine, heroin, or LSD), are subject to certain additional requirements. If a U.S. resident wants to bring in a controlled substance ( **other than narcotics** such as marijuana, cocaine, heroin, or LSD) but does not have a prescription for the substance issued by a U.S.-licensed practitioner (e.g., physician, dentist, etc.) who is registered with, and authorized by, the Drug Enforcement Administration to prescribe the medication, the individual may not import more than 50 dosage units of the medication into the United States. If the U.S. resident has a prescription for the controlled substance issued by a DEA registrant, more than 50 dosage units may be imported by that person, provided all other legal requirements are met. That’s what I quoted in the first place, and I said I didn’t know if codeine would fall under the definition of a “narcotic.” I said that if it IS a narcotic, then it does not fall under the 50 dose, non-prescription exception. Got it? I have yet to see a cite that codeine is classified as a non-narcotic for the purposes of that exception. ---
**Author:** ![IAmNotSpartacus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/cc9497/32.png) [@IAmNotSpartacus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IAmNotSpartacus)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2011, 3:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-codeine-otc-in-canada/591325/65 "2011-08-11T03:48:56Z")
> [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](#): > > [sigh] > That’s what I quoted in the first place, and I said I didn’t know if codeine would fall under the definition of a “narcotic.” I said that if it IS a narcotic, then it does not fall under the 50 dose, non-prescription exception. Got it? > > I have yet to see a cite that codeine is classified as a non-narcotic for the purposes of that exception. That’s because you’re not clicking the links ---
**Author:** ![IAmNotSpartacus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/cc9497/32.png) [@IAmNotSpartacus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IAmNotSpartacus)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2011, 3:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-codeine-otc-in-canada/591325/66 "2011-08-11T03:50:54Z")
Ps. Show where codeine is a narcotic such as marijuana, heroin, cocaine or LSD. i.e Schedule I Drugs ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2011, 4:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-codeine-otc-in-canada/591325/67 "2011-08-11T04:20:01Z")
I didn’t say if it was or it wasn’t. The link doesn’t say “schedule 1,” it says, “narcotics like…” I said IF codeine is defined as a narcotic, then it doesn’t fall under the 50 does exception. Pharmacologically, it IS a narcotic (because it’s an opiate, and all opiates are narcotics), but pharmocologically, marijuana and LSD are NOT narcotics, so it’s not possible to tell from that cite which side of the line codeine falls on. If it falls on the narcotic side (and haven’t you been trying to argue that it IS a narcotic? pick a lane and stick with it), then, according to the CBP site, you can’t bring it through without a prescription. I have yet to see a cite that you can. ---
**Author:** ![IAmNotSpartacus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/cc9497/32.png) [@IAmNotSpartacus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IAmNotSpartacus)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2011, 4:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-codeine-otc-in-canada/591325/68 "2011-08-11T04:35:33Z")
It is a narcotic. I cited that earlier. If you don’t believe me you can google DEA drug schedule and you’ll find it is in fact a non-narcotic. What you are not understanding is that whether it’s a narcotic or not is irrelevant. Many narcotics are exempted from the importation ban and are legal to import into the US, as long as they were obtained OTC in a country where it was legal to do so. The examples the CBP page you linked to are just that, examples, and bad ones at that. I have cited the US code that exempts non-schedule I drugs from the import ban, and it clearly and explicitly states that it is legal to bring medications purchased OTC in a foreign country into the US, without a prescription. I really don’t comprehend why you are not grasping this, it’s all laid out very plainly and your assumption that all narcotics are illegal and do not receive the 50 dose exemption are completely baseless and uncited. Are you intentionally being obtuse? ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2011, 4:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-codeine-otc-in-canada/591325/69 "2011-08-11T04:48:20Z")
> [@IAmNotSpartacus](#): > > It is a narcotic. I cited that earlier. If you don’t believe me you can google DEA drug schedule and you’ll find it is in fact a non-narcotic. These are two contrdadictory statements. is it a narcotic or isn’t it? > [@](#): > > What you are not understanding is that whether it’s a narcotic or not is irrelevant. Many narcotics are exempted from the importation ban and are legal to import into the US, as long as they were obtained OTC in a country where it was legal to do so. Cite? > [@](#): > > I have cited the US code that exempts non-schedule I drugs from the import ban, and it clearly and explicitly states that it is legal to bring medications purchased OTC in a foreign country into the US, without a prescription. No, it says _non-narcotic_ drugs can be brought across without a prescription, not just drugs that aren’t schedule 1. You can’t even get your story straight on whether codeine is a narcotic or not. ---
**Author:** ![IAmNotSpartacus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/cc9497/32.png) [@IAmNotSpartacus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IAmNotSpartacus)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2011, 5:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-codeine-otc-in-canada/591325/70 "2011-08-11T05:06:56Z")
> [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](#): > > These are two contrdadictory statements. is it a narcotic or isn’t it? It is a typo. Codeine is a narcotic. > [@](#): > > Cite? Already cited. Can you please show me where it says narcotics are not exempted? \*(2) Notwithstanding any exemption under paragraph (1), a United States resident who enters the United States through an international land border with a controlled substance (except a substance in schedule I) for which the individual does not possess a valid prescription issued by a practitioner (as defined in section 802 of this title) in accordance with applicable Federal and State law (or documentation that verifies the issuance of such a prescription to that individual) may not import the controlled substance into the United States in an amount that exceeds 50 dosage units of the controlled substance. \* > [@](#): > > No, it says _non-narcotic_ drugs can be brought across without a prescription, not just drugs that aren’t schedule 1. You can’t even get your story straight on whether codeine is a narcotic or not. Show me where it says that. Here is a lawyer that breaks it down, perhaps in words small enough for you to understand: [http://www.avvo.com/legal-answers/legal-to-bring-personal-dose-of-codeine-from-canad-426992.html](http://www.avvo.com/legal-answers/legal-to-bring-personal-dose-of-codeine-from-canad-426992.html) ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2011, 5:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-codeine-otc-in-canada/591325/71 "2011-08-11T05:15:42Z")
> [@IAmNotSpartacus](#): > > It is a typo. Codeine is a narcotic. > Already cited. Can you please show me where it says narcotics are not exempted? I already have. Twice. Is this thing on? What part of “other than narcotics” do you not understand? ---
**Author:** ![IAmNotSpartacus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/cc9497/32.png) [@IAmNotSpartacus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IAmNotSpartacus)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2011, 5:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-codeine-otc-in-canada/591325/72 "2011-08-11T05:18:12Z")
> [@](#): > > I said IF codeine is defined as a narcotic, then it doesn’t fall under the 50 does exception. Codeine is a narcotic. It falls under the 50 dose exemption. Good night. ETA: Your silence on yet another citation showing in yet another manner that you are wrong is deafening. ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2011, 5:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-codeine-otc-in-canada/591325/73 "2011-08-11T05:20:42Z")
I’ve already cited it twice and bolded it, Are you having display problems or something? By contrast, I still haven’t seen a cite that codeine falls under the exception. ---
**Author:** ![Spoons](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spoons/32/3141_2.png) [@Spoons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoons)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2011, 8:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-codeine-otc-in-canada/591325/74 "2011-08-11T08:19:14Z")
Oh, for heaven’s sakes. Have either of you guys ever taken (say) a 222? There is no high, but your headache disappears. You sure don’t feel like taking another–they are bitter and nasty and something you think twice about taking. Because of the caffeine, they keep you awake, only without a headache or toothache. If the American CBP wastes its time ferreting out more than fifty 222s from somebody crossing the border, then it must be having a slow day. ---
**Author:** ![OpalCat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/8edcca/32.png) [@OpalCat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OpalCat)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2011, 3:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-codeine-otc-in-canada/591325/75 "2011-08-11T15:05:02Z")
> [@Spoons](#): > > Oh, for heaven’s sakes. Have either of you guys ever taken (say) a 222? There is no high, but your headache disappears. You sure don’t feel like taking another–they are bitter and nasty and something you think twice about taking. Because of the caffeine, they keep you awake, only without a headache or toothache. Thank you. And thank you also for re-mentioning the caffeine. I won’t take them at night. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-codeine-otc-in-canada/591325.md?page=3)