Is HGH Legal?
The laws concerning the use of human growth hormone are confusing as they differ from state to state. However, the underlying theme in each states’ law is the same: to legally possess and use HGH, an individual needs a prescription from a physician who has appropriately diagnosed him with growth hormone deficiency. Growth hormone is a prescription-only medication. Therefore, possession and use of the medication without a prescription are illegal.
While human growth hormone is a prescription-only drug, federal law does not classify it as a controlled substance like testosterone (21 USC 812(c)). This fact typically, but not always, means possession of growth hormone carries less severe penalties than possession of a controlled substance. Nevertheless, certain states, including Colorado, Idaho, Maine, Minnesota, Massachusetts, Oregon, Rhode Island, and West Virginia, consider human growth hormone a controlled substance. Additionally, Maine and Massachusetts consider all prescription drugs to be controlled substances.
In addition to knowledge of the legality of possessing and using growth hormone, knowledge of the laws distribution of HGH is important. With this knowledge, one can ensure that physician from whom he or she receives HGH is legally prescribing the medication and thus that the prescription is valid and legal.
Two Conditions for which HGH can Legally be Distributed
The FDA lists only two conditions for which HGH can legally be distributed:1 1) wasting syndrome of AIDS and 2) growth hormone deficiency.1
This means that a prescription for either muscle enhancement or “anti-aging” purposes in an otherwise healthy individual with or without growth hormone deficiency is illegal. Therefore, any physician prescribing HGH for muscle enhancement and/or “anti-aging” is doing so unlawfully. (See Growth Hormone Therapy and “Anti-aging”)
