What is the maximum amount of opium that can be dispensed without a prescription?

The correct amount of opium that can be dispensed without a prescription is 8 ounces. This regulation is crucial because it establishes the threshold for over-the-counter sales of certain controlled substances, ensuring that while some limits exist for consumer safety, access to products containing opium is still available within defined boundaries.

When looking specifically at opium and its derivatives, the regulation aims to balance public health considerations with the need for pain management options. Limitations such as these help prevent misuse while allowing legitimate access for consumers in need. In various jurisdictions, these thresholds may differ, but in this case, 8 ounces is the upper limit for non-prescription sales.

It's important to note that the other choices—4 ounces, 24 dosage units, and 48 dosage units—either fall below this limit or represent different regulations that typically apply to other substances or specific situations, thus reinforcing the importance of familiarizing oneself with the exact legal thresholds for each controlled substance under state law.