True or False: An individual practitioner may dispense a controlled substance for their own personal use.

The assertion that an individual practitioner may dispense a controlled substance for their own personal use is false. In the context of federal and state regulations, practitioners, such as physicians or dentists, are generally prohibited from self-prescribing or dispensing controlled substances for their own use. This is rooted in the ethical and legal standards aimed at preventing potential abuse and conflicts of interest.

The rationale for this prohibition stems from the importance of maintaining a clear separation between a practitioner's professional responsibilities and personal medical needs. By discouraging self-dispensing, regulations help ensure that medical professionals engage with the healthcare system in a manner consistent with the principles of patient safety, adequate record-keeping, and clinical oversight. If practitioners need a controlled substance, they should go through the standard patient-provider relationship, obtaining prescriptions through another licensed provider. This process helps maintain the integrity of medical practice and prevents misuse of authority or resources.