According to the Health and Safety Code, what term describes a person who diverts controlled substances?

The term that describes a person who diverts controlled substances is "dispenser." A dispenser is typically a licensed individual, such as a pharmacist or healthcare professional, authorized to provide medications directly to patients. When a dispenser diverts controlled substances, it refers to the illegal practice of misappropriating these substances for personal use or distribution outside the legal framework. This behavior is serious because it undermines the safeguards in place to ensure that controlled substances are used safely and appropriately.

The other choices represent different roles within the controlled substances framework but do not specifically align with the act of diverting these substances in the same manner. Suppliers are more focused on the bulk provision of substances to facilities, distributors handle the logistics of moving substances, and registrants are individuals or entities that have registered to handle controlled substances legally. While they play important roles in the supply chain, they are not involved in the act of diversion in the way that dispensers can be.