California legal term
Dispense in California Criminal Law
Current through 2026 California legislative session
In California criminal law, “Dispense” 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 “Dispense” mean in California criminal law?
“Dispense” means to deliver a controlled substance to an ultimate user or research subject by or pursuant to the lawful order of a practitioner, including the prescribing, furnishing, packaging, labeling, or compounding necessary to prepare the substance for that delivery. (Cal. Health & Safety Code § 11010)
Statutes defining or using this term
Related terms in the same statutes
This reference is informational and is not legal advice.