ARTICLE 1. Offenses Involving Controlled Substances Formerly Classified as Narcotics [11350. - 11356.6.]

Cal. Health and Safety Code - HSC 1.

in effect

Cal. Health and Safety Code - HSC § 11350. Section 11350.

(a) Except as otherwise provided in this division, every person who possesses (1) any controlled substance specified in subdivision (b), (c), (e), or paragraph (1) of subdivision (f) of Section 11054, specified in paragraph (14), (15), or (20) of subdivision (d) of Section 11054, or specified in subdivision (b) or (c) of Section 11055, or specified in subdivision (h) of Section 11056, or (2) any controlled substance classified in Schedule III, IV, or V which is a narcotic drug, unless upon the written prescription of a physician, dentist, podiatrist, or veterinarian licensed to practice in this state, shall be punished by imprisonment in a county jail for not more than one year, except that such person shall instead be punished pursuant to subdivision (h) of Section 1170 of the Penal Code if that person has one or more prior convictions for an offense specified in clause (iv) of subparagraph (C) of paragraph (2) of subdivision (e) of Section 667 of the Penal Code or for an offense requiring registration pursuant to subdivision (c) of Section 290 of the Penal Code. (b) Except as otherwise provided in this division, whenever a person who possesses any of the controlled substances specified in subdivision (a), the judge may, in addition to any punishment provided for pursuant to subdivision (a), assess against that person a fine not to exceed seventy dollars ($70) with proceeds of this fine to be used in accordance with Section 1463.23 of the Penal Code. The court shall, however, take into consideration the defendant’s ability to pay, and no defendant shall be denied probation because of his or her inability to pay the fine permitted under this subdivision. (c) Except in unusual cases in which it would not serve the interest of justice to do so, whenever a court grants probation pursuant to a felony conviction under this section, in addition to any other conditions of probation which may be imposed, the following conditions of probation shall be ordered: (1) For a first offense under this section, a fine of at least one thousand dollars ($1,000) or community service. (2) For a second or subsequent offense under this section, a fine of at least two thousand dollars ($2,000) or community service. (3) If a defendant does not have the ability to pay the minimum fines specified in paragraphs (1) and (2), community service shall be ordered in lieu of the fine. (d) It is not unlawful for a person other than the prescription holder to possess a controlled substance described in subdivision (a) if both of the following apply: (1) The possession of the controlled substance is at the direction or with the express authorization of the prescription holder. (2) The sole intent of the possessor is to deliver the prescription to the prescription holder for its prescribed use or to discard the substance in a lawful manner. (e) This section does not permit the use of a controlled substance by a person other than the prescription holder or permit the distribution or sale of a controlled substance that is otherwise inconsistent with the prescription.

Cal. Health and Safety Code - HSC § 11350.5. Section 11350.5.

(a) Except as otherwise provided in this division, every person who possesses a controlled substance specified in paragraph (3) of subdivision (e) of Section 11054 of this code with the intent to commit sexual assault shall be punished by imprisonment pursuant to subdivision (h) of Section 1170 of the Penal Code. (b) For purposes of this section, “sexual assault” means conduct in violation of Section 243.4, 261, 262, 286, 287, or 289 of, or former Section 288a of, the Penal Code.

Cal. Health and Safety Code - HSC § 11351. Section 11351.

Except as otherwise provided in this division, every person who possesses for sale or purchases for purposes of sale (1) any controlled substance specified in subdivision (b), (c), or (e) of Section 11054, specified in paragraph (14), (15), or (20) of subdivision (d) of Section 11054, or specified in subdivision (b) or (c) of Section 11055, or specified in subdivision (h) of Section 11056, or (2) any controlled substance classified in Schedule III, IV, or V which is a narcotic drug, shall be punished by imprisonment pursuant to subdivision (h) of Section 1170 of the Penal Code for two, three, or four years.

Cal. Health and Safety Code - HSC § 11351.5. Section 11351.5.

Except as otherwise provided in this division, every person who possesses for sale or purchases for purposes of sale cocaine base, which is specified in paragraph (1) of subdivision (f) of Section 11054, shall be punished by imprisonment pursuant to subdivision (h) of Section 1170 of the Penal Code for a period of two, three, or four years.

Cal. Health and Safety Code - HSC § 11352. Section 11352.

(a) Except as otherwise provided in this division, every person who transports, imports into this state, sells, furnishes, administers, or gives away, or offers to transport, import into this state, sell, furnish, administer, or give away, or attempts to import into this state or transport (1) any controlled substance specified in subdivision (b), (c), or (e), or paragraph (1) of subdivision (f) of Section 11054, specified in paragraph (14), (15), or (20) of subdivision (d) of Section 11054, or specified in subdivision (b) or (c) of Section 11055, or specified in subdivision (h) of Section 11056, or (2) any controlled substance classified in Schedule III, IV, or V which is a narcotic drug, unless upon the written prescription of a physician, dentist, podiatrist, or veterinarian licensed to practice in this state, shall be punished by imprisonment pursuant to subdivision (h) of Section 1170 of the Penal Code for three, four, or five years. (b) Notwithstanding the penalty provisions of subdivision (a), any person who transports any controlled substances specified in subdivision (a) within this state from one county to another noncontiguous county shall be punished by imprisonment pursuant to subdivision (h) of Section 1170 of the Penal Code for three, six, or nine years. (c) For purposes of this section, “transports” means to transport for sale. (d) This section does not preclude or limit the prosecution of an individual for aiding and abetting the commission of, or conspiring to commit, or acting as an accessory to, any act prohibited by this section.

Cal. Health and Safety Code - HSC § 11352.1. Section 11352.1.

(a) The Legislature hereby declares that the dispensing and furnishing of prescription drugs, controlled substances, and dangerous drugs or dangerous devices without a license poses a significant threat to the health, safety, and welfare of all persons residing in the state. It is the intent of the Legislature in enacting this provision to enhance the penalties attached to this illicit and dangerous conduct. (b) Notwithstanding Section 4321 of the Business and Professions Code, and in addition to any other penalties provided by law, any person who knowingly and unlawfully dispenses or furnishes a dangerous drug or dangerous device, or any material represented as, or presented in lieu of, any dangerous drug or dangerous device, as defined in Section 4022 of the Business and Professions Code, or who knowingly owns, manages, or operates a business that dispenses or furnishes a dangerous drug or dangerous device or any material represented as, or presented in lieu of, any dangerous drug or dangerous device, as defined in Section 4022 of the Business and Professions Code without a license to dispense or furnish these products, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor. Upon the first conviction, each violation shall be punishable by imprisonment in a county jail not to exceed one year, or by a fine not to exceed five thousand dollars ($5,000), or by both that fine and imprisonment. Upon a second or subsequent conviction, each violation shall be punishable by imprisonment in a county jail not to exceed one year, or by a fine not to exceed ten thousand dollars ($10,000), or by both that fine and imprisonment.

Cal. Health and Safety Code - HSC § 11352.5. Section 11352.5.

The court shall impose a fine not exceeding fifty thousand dollars ($50,000), in the absence of a finding that the defendant would be incapable of paying such a fine, in addition to any term of imprisonment provided by law for any of the following persons: (1) Any person who is convicted of violating Section 11351 of the Health and Safety Code by possessing for sale 14.25 grams or more of a substance containing heroin. (2) Any person who is convicted of violating Section 11352 of the Health and Safety Code by selling or offering to sell 14.25 grams or more of a substance containing heroin. (3) Any person convicted of violating Section 11351 of the Health and Safety Code by possessing heroin for sale or convicted of violating Section 11352 of the Health and Safety Code by selling or offering to sell heroin, and who has one or more prior convictions for violating Section 11351 or Section 11352 of the Health and Safety Code.

Cal. Health and Safety Code - HSC § 11353. Section 11353.

Every person 18 years of age or over, (a) who in any voluntary manner solicits, induces, encourages, or intimidates any minor with the intent that the minor shall violate any provision of this chapter or Section 11550 with respect to either (1) a controlled substance which is specified in subdivision (b), (c), or (e), or paragraph (1) of subdivision (f) of Section 11054, specified in paragraph (14), (15), or (20) of subdivision (d) of Section 11054, or specified in subdivision (b) or (c) of Section 11055, or specified in subdivision (h) of Section 11056, or (2) any controlled substance classified in Schedule III, IV, or V which is a narcotic drug, (b) who hires, employs, or uses a minor to unlawfully transport, carry, sell, give away, prepare for sale, or peddle any such controlled substance, or (c) who unlawfully sells, furnishes, administers, gives, or offers to sell, furnish, administer, or give, any such controlled substance to a minor, shall be punished by imprisonment in the state prison for a period of three, six, or nine years.

Cal. Health and Safety Code - HSC § 11353.1. Section 11353.1.

(a) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, any person 18 years of age or over who is convicted of a violation of Section 11353, in addition to the punishment imposed for that conviction, shall receive an additional punishment as follows: (1) If the offense involved heroin, cocaine, cocaine base, or any analog of these substances and occurred upon the grounds of, or within, a church or synagogue, a playground, a public or private youth center, a child day care facility, or a public swimming pool, during hours in which the facility is open for business, classes, or school-related programs, or at any time when minors are using the facility, the defendant shall, as a full and separately served enhancement to any other enhancement provided in paragraph (3), be punished by imprisonment in the state prison for one year. (2) If the offense involved heroin, cocaine, cocaine base, or any analog of these substances and occurred upon, or within 1,000 feet of, the grounds of any public or private elementary, vocational, junior high, or high school, during hours that the school is open for classes or school-related programs, or at any time when minors are using the facility where the offense occurs, the defendant shall, as a full and separately served enhancement to any other enhancement provided in paragraph (3), be punished by imprisonment in the state prison for two years. (3) If the offense involved a minor who is at least four years younger than the defendant, the defendant shall, as a full and separately served enhancement to any other enhancement provided in this subdivision, be punished by imprisonment in the state prison for one, two, or three years, at the discretion of the court. (b) The additional punishment provided in this section shall not be imposed unless the allegation is charged in the accusatory pleading and admitted by the defendant or found to be true by the trier of fact. (c) The additional punishment provided in this section shall be in addition to any other punishment provided by law and shall not be limited by any other provision of law. (d) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the court may strike the additional punishment provided for in this section if it determines that there are circumstances in mitigation of the additional punishment and states on the record its reasons for striking the additional punishment. (e) As used in this section the following definitions shall apply: (1) “Playground” means any park or recreational area specifically designed to be used by children which has play equipment installed, including public grounds designed for athletic activities such as baseball, football, soccer, or basketball, or any similar facility located on public or private school grounds, or on city, county, or state parks. (2) “Youth center” means any public or private facility that is primarily used to host recreational or social activities for minors, including, but not limited to, private youth membership organizations or clubs, social service teenage club facilities, video arcades, or similar amusement park facilities. (3) “Video arcade” means any premises where 10 or more video game machines or devices are operated, and where minors are legally permitted to conduct business. (4) “Video game machine” means any mechanical amusement device, which is characterized by the use of a cathode ray tube display and which, upon the insertion of a coin, slug, or token in any slot or receptacle attached to, or connected to, the machine, may be operated for use as a game, contest, or amusement. (5) “Within 1,000 feet of the grounds of any public or private elementary, vocational, junior high, or high school” means any public area or business establishment where minors are legally permitted to conduct business which is located within 1,000 feet of any public or private elementary, vocational, junior high, or high school. (6) “Child day care facility” has the meaning specified in Section 1596.750. (f) This section does not require either that notice be posted regarding the proscribed conduct or that the applicable 1,000-foot boundary limit be marked.

Cal. Health and Safety Code - HSC § 11353.4. Section 11353.4.

(a) Any person 18 years of age or older who is convicted for a second or subsequent time of violating Section 11353, as that section applies to paragraph (1) of subdivision (f) of Section 11054, where the previous conviction resulted in a prison sentence, shall, as a full and separately served enhancement to the punishment imposed for that second or subsequent conviction of Section 11353, be punished by imprisonment in the state prison for one, two, or three years. (b) If the second or subsequent violation of Section 11353, as described in subdivision (a), involved a minor who is 14 years of age or younger, the defendant shall, as a full and separately served enhancement to any other enhancement provided in this section, be punished by imprisonment in the state prison for one, two, or three years, at the discretion of the court. (c) The additional punishment provided in this section shall not be imposed unless the allegation is charged in the accusatory pleading and admitted by the defendant or found to be true by the trier of fact. (d) The additional punishment provided in this section shall be in addition to any other punishment provided by law and shall not be limited by any other provision of law. (e) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the court may strike the additional punishment provided for in this section if it determines that there are circumstances in mitigation of the additional punishment and states on the record its reasons for striking the additional punishment.

Cal. Health and Safety Code - HSC § 11353.5. Section 11353.5.

Except as authorized by law, any person 18 years of age or older who unlawfully prepares for sale upon school grounds or a public playground, a child day care facility, a church, or a synagogue, or sells or gives away a controlled substance, other than a controlled substance described in Section 11353 or 11380, to a minor upon the grounds of, or within, any school, child day care facility, public playground, church, or synagogue providing instruction in preschool, kindergarten, or any of grades 1 to 12, inclusive, or providing child care services, during hours in which those facilities are open for classes, school-related programs, or child care, or at any time when minors are using the facility where the offense occurs, or upon the grounds of a public playground during the hours in which school-related programs for minors are being conducted, or at any time when minors are using the facility where the offense occurs, shall be punished by imprisonment pursuant to subdivision (h) of Section 1170 of the Penal Code for five, seven, or nine years. Application of this section shall be limited to persons at least five years older than the minor to whom he or she prepares for sale, sells, or gives away a controlled substance.

Cal. Health and Safety Code - HSC § 11353.6. Section 11353.6.

(a) This section shall be known, and may be cited, as the Juvenile Drug Trafficking and Schoolyard Act of 1988. (b) Any person 18 years of age or over who is convicted of a violation of Section 11351.5, 11352, or 11379.6, as those sections apply to paragraph (1) of subdivision (f) of Section 11054, or of Section 11351, 11352, or 11379.6, as those sections apply to paragraph (11) of subdivision (c) of Section 11054, or of Section 11378, 11379, or 11379.6, as those sections apply to paragraph (2) of subdivision (d) of Section 11055, or of a conspiracy to commit one of those offenses, where the violation takes place upon the grounds of, or within 1,000 feet of, a public or private elementary, vocational, junior high, or high school during hours that the school is open for classes or school-related programs, or at any time when minors are using the facility where the offense occurs, shall receive an additional punishment of three, four, or five years at the court’s discretion. (c) Any person 18 years of age or older who is convicted of a violation pursuant to subdivision (b) which involves a minor who is at least four years younger than that person, as a full and separately served enhancement to that provided in subdivision (b), shall be punished by imprisonment pursuant to subdivision (h) of Section 1170 of the Penal Code for three, four, or five years at the court’s discretion. (d) The additional terms provided in this section shall not be imposed unless the allegation is charged in the accusatory pleading and admitted or found to be true by the trier of fact. (e) The additional terms provided in this section shall be in addition to any other punishment provided by law and shall not be limited by any other provision of law. (f) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the court may strike the additional punishment for the enhancements provided in this section if it determines that there are circumstances in mitigation of the additional punishment and states on the record its reasons for striking the additional punishment. (g) “Within 1,000 feet of a public or private elementary, vocational, junior high, or high school” means any public area or business establishment where minors are legally permitted to conduct business which is located within 1,000 feet of any public or private elementary, vocational, junior high, or high school.

Cal. Health and Safety Code - HSC § 11353.7. Section 11353.7.

Except as authorized by law, and except as provided otherwise in Sections 11353.1, 11353.6, and 11380.1 with respect to playgrounds situated in a public park, any person 18 years of age or older who unlawfully prepares for sale in a public park, including units of the state park system and state vehicular recreation areas, or sells or gives away a controlled substance to a minor under the age of 14 years in a public park, including units of the state park system and state vehicular recreation areas, during hours in which the public park, including units of the state park system and state vehicular recreation areas, is open for use, with knowledge that the person is a minor under the age of 14 years, shall be punished by imprisonment in state prison for three, six, or nine years.

Cal. Health and Safety Code - HSC § 11354. Section 11354.

(a) Every person under the age of 18 years who in any voluntary manner solicits, induces, encourages, or intimidates any minor with the intent that the minor shall violate any provision of this chapter or Section 11550, who hires, employs, or uses a minor to unlawfully transport, carry, sell, give away, prepare for sale, or peddle (1) any controlled substance specified in subdivision (b), (c), or (e), or paragraph (1) of subdivision (f) of Section 11054, specified in paragraph (14), (15), or (20) of subdivision (d) of Section 11054, or specified in subdivision (b) or (c) of Section 11055, or specified in subdivision (h) of Section 11056, or (2) any controlled substance classified in Schedule III, IV, or V which is a narcotic drug, or who unlawfully sells, furnishes, administers, gives, or offers to sell, furnish, administer, or give, any such controlled substance to a minor shall be punished by imprisonment in the state prison. (b) This section is not intended to affect the jurisdiction of the juvenile court.

Cal. Health and Safety Code - HSC § 11355. Section 11355.

Every person who agrees, consents, or in any manner offers to unlawfully sell, furnish, transport, administer, or give (1) any controlled substance specified in subdivision (b), (c), or (e), or paragraph (1) of subdivision (f) of Section 11054, specified in paragraph (13), (14), (15), or (20) of subdivision (d) of Section 11054, or specified in subdivision (b) or (c) of Section 11055, or specified in subdivision (h) of Section 11056, or (2) any controlled substance classified in Schedule III, IV, or V which is a narcotic drug to any person, or who offers, arranges, or negotiates to have any such controlled substance unlawfully sold, delivered, transported, furnished, administered, or given to any person and who then sells, delivers, furnishes, transports, administers, or gives, or offers, arranges, or negotiates to have sold, delivered, transported, furnished, administered, or given to any person any other liquid, substance, or material in lieu of any such controlled substance shall be punished by imprisonment in the county jail for not more than one year, or pursuant to subdivision (h) of Section 1170 of the Penal Code.

Cal. Health and Safety Code - HSC § 11356. Section 11356.

As used in this article “felony offense,” and “offense punishable as a felony” refer to an offense prior to October 1, 2011, for which the law prescribes imprisonment in the state prison, or for an offense on or after October 1, 2011, imprisonment in either the state prison or pursuant to subdivision (h) of Section 1170 of the Penal Code, as either an alternative or the sole penalty, regardless of the sentence the particular defendant received.

Cal. Health and Safety Code - HSC § 11356.5. Section 11356.5.

(a) Any person convicted of a violation of Section 11351, 11352, 11379.5, or 11379.6 insofar as the latter section relates to phencyclidine or any of its analogs which is specified in paragraph (21), (22), or (23) of subdivision (d) of Section 11054 or in paragraph (3) of subdivision (e) of Section 11055, who, as part of the transaction for which he or she was convicted, has induced another to violate Section 11351, 11352, 11379.5, or 11379.6 insofar as the latter section relates to phencyclidine or its analogs, shall be punished as follows: (1) By an additional one year in prison if the value of the controlled substance involved in the transaction for which the person was convicted exceeds five hundred thousand dollars ($500,000). (2) By an additional two years in prison if the value of the controlled substance involved in the transaction for which the person was convicted exceeds two million dollars ($2,000,000). (3) By an additional three years in prison if the value of the controlled substance involved in the transaction for which the person was convicted exceeds five million dollars ($5,000,000). (b) For purposes of this section, “value of the controlled substance” means the retail price to the user.

Cal. Health and Safety Code - HSC § 11356.6. Section 11356.6.

(a) The court shall refer a defendant subject to paragraph (4) of subdivision (a) of Section 11373 only to a fentanyl and synthetic opiate education program that meets the standards of this section. (b) A fentanyl and synthetic opiate education program shall include education on the dangers of fentanyl and other synthetic opiates, including, but not limited to, information on all of the following: (1) How the use of fentanyl and synthetic opiates affects the body and brain. (2) The dangers of fentanyl and other synthetic opiates to a person’s life and health. (3) Factors that contribute to physical dependence. (4) The physical and mental health risks associated with substance use disorders. (5) How to recognize and respond to the signs of a drug overdose, including information regarding access to, and the administration of, opiate antagonists and immunity for reporting a drug-related overdose pursuant to Section 11376.5. (6) The legality of drug testing equipment pursuant to subdivision (g) of Section 11364.5. (c) The education may also include the criminal penalties for controlled substance offenses regarding fentanyl and other synthetic opiates. (d) The education shall be culturally and linguistically appropriate. (e) The court may allow a defendant to participate in a fentanyl and synthetic opiate education program via remote technology, if one is available. (f) The program provider shall report to the probation department and the court an unexcused absence by a defendant from a fentanyl and synthetic opiate education program within two business days. A defendant who is absent from a session of the fentanyl and synthetic opiate education program shall be required to complete any and all components of the fentanyl and synthetic opiate education program that the defendant did not attend. (g) The court shall only refer defendants to programs that are available at no cost to participants of court-ordered drug education as provided in subparagraph (B) of paragraph (4) of subdivision (a) of Section 11373. (h) As used in this section, “opiate” includes “opioid” drugs.

Source: CA Legislative Counsel Bulk DataURL: https://downloads.leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/pubinfo_2025.zipFetched: 6/27/2026