Yes you can legally use prescription drugs, and will not get in trouble if you pop positive due to LEGAL prescription drug use.


IMPORTANT CAVEATS:

1. You will have to wait the required interval from last dose before flying. Ask your AME, I can tell what the interval is for *most* drugs, but it is different for a few drugs.

2. Don't push the waiting period... if the drug test shows an excessively high level, they can determine that you didn't wait long enough... that's a violation. A prescription does NOT mean you can fly under even the slightest influence.

3. You have to comply strictly with the directions and limitations of the prescription. If you get something for wisdom teeth, save a few pills and use them for a headache next year, that's illegal drug abuse and will be treated as such. Don't pop positive outside of the timeframe for which you were prescribed the drugs.

4. I hope you're talking about vicodin. Marijuana IS NOT LEGAL per the federal government, not for recreational OR "medical" use. The FAA and DOT are FEDERAL agencies... I do not believe they will have any tolerance for the use of a scheduled substance which has NO legal application. You local or state hippies cannot wave their hookahs and magically supersede federal law. If you already took some, I would...

a) Call an aviation lawyer.
b) DON'T call your AME.
c) Figure out how long you have to wait to have ZERO chance of popping for marijuana on your first day back. Probably many weeks.

I probably wouldn't bother talking to your CP. He's not an expert, and it won't get you off the hook with DOT/FAA if you follow his bad gouge. Generally you want your employer to know as little about your medical situation as possible.