{"id":371792,"date":"2016-03-31T21:34:29","date_gmt":"2016-04-01T02:34:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/state\/california-law\/california-heroin-laws.html"},"modified":"2024-09-27T16:18:08","modified_gmt":"2024-09-27T21:18:08","slug":"california-heroin-laws","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/california-law\/california-heroin-laws.html","title":{"rendered":"California Laws for Heroin, Fentanyl, and Other Opioids"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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California Laws for Heroin, Fentanyl, and Other Opioids<\/h1>\n
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\n By Lyle Therese A. Hilotin-Lee, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by FindLaw Staff<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n

California takes a strict approach to managing controlled substances. This reflects the commitment of the state to minimize illegal drug use while balancing it with medical necessity.<\/p>\r\n

This article offers an overview of drug regulations in California. It also features drug schedules and the penalties for illegal possession and sale of these substances.<\/p>\r\n

Opioid Crisis in California<\/b><\/h2>\r\n

The opioid crisis in California escalated into a public health emergency as the state saw a 121% increase in opioid-related deaths from the year 2019 to 2021. In 2021 alone, the state recorded 10,989 deaths caused by drug overdose. Opioids account for two-thirds of these deaths, with fentanyl implicated in 5,951 deaths. In 2022, opioids caused over 7,000 fatalities<\/a>, and fentanyl caused 87% of those deaths.<\/p>\r\n

Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid known for its potency. It poses substantial harm even in small amounts, increasing the danger of overdoses. The state has also seen increased use of other opiates. These substances include cocaine, methamphetamine, and benzodiazepines. The crisis affects various age groups, but a particular impact is seen among young adults ages 25 to 34.<\/p>\r\n

In response to this crisis, California enacted legislation and implemented strategies to fight the epidemic. Included among these efforts is increasing public education about the harm that opioid causes. The state also enhanced the availability of naloxone<\/a>, a medication that reverses opioid overdose. Despite these efforts, there has been a persistent rise in deaths caused by drug overdose. These numbers highlight the need for action and intervention to address the needs of affected communities.<\/p>\r\n

Understanding California\u2019s Drug Schedules<\/b><\/h2>\r\n

The state of California categorizes controlled substances into five drug schedules. Like other states, Schedule I are substances that have the risk of addiction and drug overdose with no accepted medical use. Meanwhile, Schedule V substances are those that have the least potential for drug abuse and have accepted medical use. Learning about these drug schedules is crucial as it directly affects law enforcement and the drug charges associated with them.<\/p>\r\n

The following are some of the examples of controlled substances that fall into these drug schedules:<\/p>\r\n

Schedule I<\/b><\/p>\r\n