Controlled substances: carfentanil.

Existing law classifies controlled substances into 5 schedules and places the greatest restrictions and penalties on the use of those substances placed in Schedule I. Opiates are classified in Schedule II. Existing law prohibits a person from possessing for sale or purchasing for purposes of sale specified controlled substances, including opiates, and punishes a violation of that prohibition by imprisonment in a county jail for 2, 3, or 4 years. Existing law also prohibits transporting, importing into this state, selling, furnishing, administering, or giving away specified controlled substances, including opiates, and punishes a violation of that prohibition by imprisonment in a county jail for 3, 4, or 5 years. Existing law also prohibits the trafficking of specified controlled substances and punishes a violation of that prohibition by imprisonment in a county jail for 3, 6, or 9 years. This bill would classify carfentanil, an opiate, in Schedule II. The bill would punish the possession, sale, or purchase for sale of carfentanil by imprisonment in a county jail for 6, 7, or 8 years, the transportation, importation, sale, furnishing, administering, or giving away of carfentanil by imprisonment in a county jail for 9, 10, or 11 years, and the trafficking of carfentanil by imprisonment in a county jail for 9, 12, or 15 years. This bill would make conforming changes. By creating a new crime, this bill would impose a state-mandated local program. The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement. This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.