Legal drug trade

Legal drug trade, as with other goods object of commerce, in opposition to smuggling or illegal drug trade, most psychotropic substances' commerce is under control and taxation by world governments, regardless of the relative perceived danger of the goods that are the object of legislation.

Legal commerce in drugs can be categorized according to the purpose of consumption (therapeutic vs recreational), type of drug involved and of the trading process, i.e.: production, distribution or consumption.

Drugs useful for treating diseases are the object of pharmaceutical research and medical practice, and produced by pharmaceutical companies, which in theory should be above United Nations legislation prohibiting use or sole possession of the drugs termed illegal for other purposes.

Pharmaceutical companies, through authorized dealers, guarantee the distribution of their products to their customers. Since antiquity, there have been stores specialized in drug selling. Today, they are called pharmacies or, straightforwardly, drugstores. Certain drugs officially considered trade-able without medical supervision are also sold in non-specialized stores, such as supermarkets.

Therapeutic drug consumption can take place in an outpatient setting, or during hospitalization.

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