California legal term
Cannabis in California Criminal Law
Current through 2026 California legislative session
In California criminal law, “Cannabis” is a term defined by statute rather than by its everyday meaning. Its statutory definition — quoted verbatim below — controls how the term is applied throughout the California criminal code.
What does “Cannabis” mean in California criminal law?
“Cannabis” means all parts of the plant Cannabis sativa Linnaeus, Cannabis indica, or Cannabis ruderalis, whether growing or not; the seeds thereof; the resin from glandular trichomes or extracted from any part of the plant; and every compound, manufacture, salt, derivative, mixture, or preparation of the plant, its seeds or resin. (Cal. Health & Safety Code § 11018)
Statutes defining or using this term
Related terms in the same statutes
This reference is informational and is not legal advice.