{"id":371776,"date":"2016-03-31T21:34:27","date_gmt":"2016-04-01T02:34:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/state\/california-law\/california-drug-possession-laws.html"},"modified":"2024-10-24T12:34:22","modified_gmt":"2024-10-24T17:34:22","slug":"california-drug-possession-laws","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/california-law\/california-drug-possession-laws.html","title":{"rendered":"California Drug Possession Laws"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 fl-sectionWithSidebar fl-container fl-flex fl-flex-wrap fl-gap30\">\n    \n    <div class=\"fl-page-articles fl-section-main fl-section-main-full-width\">\n        <h1 class=\"fl-no-margin-top\">California Drug Possession Laws<\/h1>\n<section class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline\">\n    <div class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline-content\">\n                    By <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/company\/our-team\/lyle-therese-a-hilotin-lee-j-d\/\">Lyle Therese A. Hilotin-Lee, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by <a\n                href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/company\/our-team\/laura-temme-esq\/\">Laura Temme, Esq.<\/a>\n                | Last updated\n        <time>\n                            October 24, 2024\n                    <\/time>\n    <\/div>\n\n    \n    <details class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline-toggle fl-gutenberg-byline-legally-reviewed\">\n        <summary>\n            <i class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline-icon\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>\n            Legally Reviewed\n        <\/summary>\n\n        <div class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline-toggle-content\">\n            <p><em>This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/company\/our-team.html\">FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/company\/company-history\/editorial-policy.html\">our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n        <\/div>\n    <\/details>\n\n    <details class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline-toggle fl-gutenberg-byline-fast-checked\">\n        <summary>\n            <i class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline-icon\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>\n            Fact-Checked\n        <\/summary>\n\n        <div class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline-toggle-content\">\n            <p><em>The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/company\/our-team\/contributing-authors.html\">contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please <a href=\"https:\/\/lawyers.findlaw.com\/?fli=bylinelink\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n        <\/div>\n    <\/details>\n<\/section>\n<p>In California, a seemingly innocuous act, such as holding a controlled substance without a valid prescription, could trigger various legal consequences. The laws of the state when it comes to drug possession are complex. For instance, simple possession of a controlled substance carries different penalties than possession with intent to sell.<\/p>\r\n<p>This article discusses the important provisions under California\u2019s state laws. It offers a detailed overview of how controlled substances are classified and the penalties for possession under California law.<\/p>\r\n<h2><b>Elements of Illegal Drug Possession in California<\/b><\/h2>\r\n<p>The <a href=\"https:\/\/codes.findlaw.com\/ca\/health-and-safety-code\/hsc-sect-11350\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">California Health and Safety Code Section 11350(a)<\/a> contains the laws related to the possession of controlled substances in the state. According to this provision, the following are the elements of drug possession:<\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li><b>Possession of a controlled substance &#8211;<\/b> The person should have actual possession of the controlled substance. The substance should be one specified under the law or classified as a narcotic drug.<\/li>\r\n<li><b>Lack of prescription &#8211;<\/b> The person possessing the controlled substance does not have a valid prescription issued by a licensed medical professional or a veterinarian authorized to practice in California.<\/li>\r\n<li><b>Knowledge of the presence of the controlled substance &#8211;<\/b> The person in possession knew that the controlled substance was in their possession and understood that it was a controlled substance.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<p>California law prohibits the use of a controlled substance other than by the person who holds the prescription. A person can have the substance if it is at the direction of the prescription holder, and the purpose is to deliver or dispose of the substance.<\/p>\r\n<h2><b>Possession for Sale<\/b><\/h2>\r\n<p>A prosecutor can charge a defendant with simple possession when the defendant possesses one of the substances listed under the Health and Safety Code. A prosecutor may charge a defendant with &quot;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/criminal\/criminal-charges\/drug-dealing-and-drug-sales-charges.html\">possession for sale<\/a>&quot; or &quot;purchase for sale&quot; if the state believes that the defendant intended to engage in drug dealing.<\/p>\r\n<h2><b>Classification of Drugs in California<\/b><\/h2>\r\n<p>The state of California categorizes controlled substances into five drug schedules. It ranges from Schedule I to V. Schedule I drugs are those that the state considers as having a high probability of addiction and a greater risk of harm.<\/p>\r\n<p>Schedule V drugs are the least addictive and have the lowest risk of harm. The following are some examples of drugs that fall under these <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/california-law\/california-heroin-laws.html\">drug schedules<\/a>:<\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li><b>Schedule I drugs:<\/b> Heroin, LSD, cannabis, peyote, ecstasy, and psilocybin.<\/li>\r\n<li><b>Schedule II drugs:<\/b> Cocaine, methamphetamine, oxycodone, fentanyl, and morphine.<\/li>\r\n<li><b>Schedule III drugs:<\/b> Codeine, pentobarbital, ketamine, and anabolic steroids.<\/li>\r\n<li><b>Schedule IV drugs:<\/b> Tramadol, diazepam, lorazepam, and alprazolam.<\/li>\r\n<li><b>Schedule V drugs:<\/b> Buprenorphine and other drugs with low doses of narcotics.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<p>The schedule of the drug involved in a crime may affect sentencing.<\/p>\r\n<h2><b>Penalties and Sentences After Prop 47<\/b><\/h2>\r\n<p>California sets penalties for drug possession that vary depending on the type of drug, the amount of the drug, and the purpose for which the defendant had possession of the drug.<\/p>\r\n<p>The sentencing structure for drug possession changed after California voters passed the controversial <a href=\"https:\/\/www.courts.ca.gov\/documents\/Prop47FAQs.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Proposition 47 in 2014<\/a>. This new law made many drug possession offenses punishable only as misdemeanors.<\/p>\r\n<p>It allowed those serving time in a state prison for drug possession charges to petition the court for resentencing. Certain inmates cannot petition the court for resentencing, such as anyone convicted of rape or murder or any registered sex offenders.<\/p>\r\n<h2><b>Recreational Marijuana Decriminalized in California<\/b><\/h2>\r\n<p>In 2016, voters decriminalized recreational marijuana under Proposition 64, the <a href=\"http:\/\/vig.cdn.sos.ca.gov\/2016\/general\/en\/pdf\/prop64-title-summ-analysis.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Adult Use of Marijuana Act<\/a>. Under the new law, adults 21 and over may purchase, possess, and consume for personal use:<\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li>28.5 grams of marijuana<\/li>\r\n<li>Eight grams of concentrated marijuana<\/li>\r\n<li>Up to six cannabis plants at their private residence for personal cultivation, but plants must be in a secure space out of public view<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<p>Individuals using medical cannabis and their primary caregivers are allowed to have in possession higher quantities of medical marijuana. Under the <a href=\"https:\/\/cannabis.lacity.gov\/licensing\/licensing-information\/general-overview\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Medicinal and Adult-Use Cannabis Regulation and Safety Act<\/a> (MAUCRSA), they may acquire the following:<\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li>Up to 226.8 grams of dried or concentrated cannabis<\/li>\r\n<li>Up to 12 marijuana plants<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<p>Although the use of marijuana was <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/california-law\/california-drug-cultivation-laws.html\">decriminalized in California<\/a>, the laws still treat it as a controlled substance. Law enforcement authorities continue to enforce restrictions against its use and consumption in public areas. It&#8217;s illegal to use cannabis in the following public places:<\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li>Within 1,000 feet of a daycare center, school, or youth center where children are present<\/li>\r\n<li>Where property owners have prohibited the use of cannabis. Renters have to abide by the rental agreement if there are restrictions on smoking or using cannabis within the premises.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<p>The use and possession of cannabis is still illegal under federal laws. Using or possessing cannabis on national parks and federal lands is a crime, as is transporting cannabis across state borders.<\/p>\r\n<h2><b>California Drug Possession Laws Overview<\/b><\/h2>\r\n<p>Below, you will find key provisions of California\u2019s drug possession laws.<\/p>\r\n<table>\r\n<tbody><tr><th scope=\"row\" style=\"text-align: left;\"><p><b>California Drug Possession Statutes<\/b><\/p>\r\n<\/th>\r\n<td><p>California Health and Safety Code Division 10, Chapter 6, <a href=\"https:\/\/codes.findlaw.com\/ca\/health-and-safety-code\/hsc-sect-11350.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Sections 11350-11651<\/a> et. seq. (Uniform Controlled Substances Act)<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr><tr><th scope=\"row\" style=\"text-align: left;\"><p><b>Penalties for Violations of California Drug Possession Laws<\/b><\/p>\r\n<\/th>\r\n<td><p><b>Possession of Controlled Substances, Not Marijuana<\/b><\/p>\r\n<p>After Prop 47, the following crimes are punished as misdemeanors only as first offenses, with penalties including up to one year in the county jail and not state prison:<\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li>Schedule I opiates, opium derivatives, cocaine base, mescaline, peyote, or synthetic cannabis (including their isomers, esters, ethers, salts, and salts of isomers, esters, and ethers)<\/li>\r\n<li>Schedule II narcotics or opiates<\/li>\r\n<li>Schedule III hallucinogens, and<\/li>\r\n<li>Schedule III, IV, or V<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<p><b>Possession of Marijuana<\/b><\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li>Possession <i><b>of more than 28.5 grams of marijuana<\/b><\/i>, other than concentrated cannabis, is punishable by incarceration of up to six months, a fine of not more than $500, or both<\/li>\r\n<li>Possession of <i><b>not more than 28.5 grams of marijuana<\/b><\/i>, legal for those 21 and over, an infraction for those 18 and under (mandatory drug education course and community service)<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<p><b>Possession of Concentrated Cannabis<\/b><\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li><p>Possession of up to 8 grams of concentrated cannabis is legal. Over 8 grams is punishable by incarceration of up to one year, a fine of up to $500, or both.<\/p>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr><tr><th scope=\"row\" style=\"text-align: left;\"><p><b>Possible Defenses for Drug Possession Charges in California<\/b><\/p>\r\n<\/th>\r\n<td><ul>\r\n<li>Medical necessity<\/li>\r\n<li>Prescription issued by a doctor<\/li>\r\n<li>Unlawful search resulting in seizure of drugs<\/li>\r\n<li>Problem with lab analysis<\/li>\r\n<li>Entrapment or improper police conduct<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr><tr><th scope=\"row\" style=\"text-align: left;\"><p><b>Classification of Controlled Dangerous Drugs\/Uniform Controlled Substances Act<\/b><\/p>\r\n<\/th>\r\n<td><p>See the <a href=\"https:\/\/leginfo.legislature.ca.gov\/faces\/codes_displayexpandedbranch.xhtml?tocCode=HSC&amp;division=10.&amp;title=&amp;part=&amp;chapter=&amp;article\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Uniform Controlled Substances Act<\/a>: As of November 2014, certain controlled substances are punished as misdemeanors only<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>\r\n<p><i>Note: California state laws are subject to change. While we strive to provide the most current information, please consult an attorney or conduct legal research to verify the state or federal law(s) you are researching.<\/i><\/p>\r\n<h2><b>Related Articles<\/b><\/h2>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/california-law\/california-drug-cultivation-laws.html\">California Drug Cultivation Laws<\/a><\/li>\r\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/california-law\/california-heroin-laws.html\">California Laws for Heroin, Fentanyl, and Other Opioids<\/a><\/li>\r\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/codes.findlaw.com\/ca\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">California Codes<\/a><\/li>\r\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/caselaw.findlaw.com\/court\/california.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">California Legal Research<\/a><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<h2><b>Seek Legal Advice From a Criminal Defense Attorney<\/b><\/h2>\r\n<p>If you or someone you know is facing charges related to drug possession or other drug crimes, seeking legal advice from a <a href=\"https:\/\/lawyers.findlaw.com\/criminal-law\/california\/?fli=dcta\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">criminal defense attorney<\/a> can be helpful. They can help you understand the possible criminal charges, examine potential legal defenses, and represent you in court. You do not have to face these drug charges alone. Contact a <a href=\"https:\/\/lawyers.findlaw.com\/criminal-law\/california\/?fli=dcta\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">criminal defense lawyer near you<\/a> to learn more.<\/p>\r\n<div class=\"was-this-helpful\">\n    <div\n            class=\"was-this-helpful__question-container\"\n            aria-labelledby=\"was-this-helpful__question\"\n            role=\"group\"\n    >\n        <span\n                id=\"was-this-helpful__question\"\n                class=\"was-this-helpful__question fl-text-lg-bold\"\n        >Was this helpful?<\/span>\n        <button\n                class=\"was-this-helpful__button fl-text-sm\"\n                aria-label=\"Yes\"\n                value=\"yes\"\n        >\n            <span class=\"was-this-helpful__button-text fl-text-bold\">Yes<\/span>\n            <i class=\"was-this-helpful__button-icon\">\n                <svg width=\"22\" height=\"22\" viewBox=\"0 0 22 22\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\">\n                   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<div class=\"fl-editors-summary\" data-testid=\"fl-editors-summary\">\n    \n    <div class=\"fl-editors-summary-content\" data-testid=\"fl-editors-summary-content\">\n                    <h2>Can I Solve This on My Own or Do I Need an Attorney?<\/h2>\n                <div class=\"fl-editors-summary-content-main\" data-testid=\"fl-editors-summary-content-main\">\n            \n        <\/div>\n        <ul class=\"fl-list-style-none\">\n                            <li data-testid=\"fl-editors-summary-content-item\">\n                    <i class=\"fa fa-check medium fl-editors-summary-content-item-icon\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>\n                    Complex drug crimes usually require a lawyer\n\n                <\/li>\n                            <li data-testid=\"fl-editors-summary-content-item\">\n                    <i class=\"fa fa-check medium fl-editors-summary-content-item-icon\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>\n                    Experienced drug crime lawyers can seek to reduce 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<\/div>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Drug possession laws often focus on the amount the accused was carrying and if that could be considered as intent to sell. Learn about California&#8217;s drug possession laws and more at FindLaw.com.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":41135,"featured_media":0,"parent":371727,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"app\/Http\/Controllers\/Templates\/ArticleWithBreadcrumbsController.php","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_stopmodifiedupdate":true,"_modified_date":"","_autodraft_ids":[],"_cloudinary_featured_overwrite":false,"_sb_is_suggestion_mode":false,"_sb_show_suggestion_boards":false,"_sb_show_comment_boards":false,"_sb_suggestion_history":"","_sb_update_block_changes":"","_is_real_time_mode":false,"_realtime_collaborators":"","footnotes":"","cf_checklist_status":[]},"categories":[2743],"tags":[],"state_laws_tags":[3557],"flmsa":[],"class_list":["post-371776","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry","category-state","state_laws_tags-statelaws_5_1"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/law-api\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/371776","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/law-api\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/law-api\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/law-api\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/41135"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/law-api\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=371776"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/law-api\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/371776\/revisions"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/law-api\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/371727"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/law-api\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=371776"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/law-api\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=371776"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/law-api\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=371776"},{"taxonomy":"state_laws_tags","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/law-api\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/state_laws_tags?post=371776"},{"taxonomy":"flmsa","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/law-api\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/flmsa?post=371776"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}