California legal term
Controlled substance in California Criminal Law
Current through 2026 California legislative session
In California criminal law, “Controlled substance” 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 “Controlled substance” mean in California criminal law?
“Controlled substance” means a drug, substance, or immediate precursor listed in any schedule in Section 11055, 11056, or 11057 of the Health and Safety Code. (Cal. Health & Safety Code § 11165.5)
Statutes defining or using this term
Related terms in the same statutes
This reference is informational and is not legal advice.