Existing law, the Uniform Controlled Substances Act, classifies controlled substances into 5 schedules, and places the greatest restrictions and penalties on the use of those substances placed in Schedule I. Existing law prohibits various actions related to those substances, including their sale, possession, transportation, manufacture, or cultivation.
This bill would impose criminal liability and civil penalties on a social media company that operates a social media platform on which users offer controlled substances for sale. The bill would impose increased liability if, as a result of a sale of a controlled substance that occurred because of an offer made on a social media platform, an individual suffered an overdose or died. The bill would additionally impose daily civil penalties for each day that users offer controlled substances for sale on
a social media platform. By expanding the scope of criminal liability, this bill would create 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.