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California legal term

hard drug in California Criminal Law

Current through 2026 California legislative session

In California criminal law, “hard drug” 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 “hard drug” mean in California criminal law?

“hard drug” means a substance listed in Section 11054 or 11055, including a substance containing fentanyl, heroin, cocaine, cocaine base, methamphetamine, or phencyclidine, and the analogs of any of these substances as defined in Sections 11400 and 11401. (Cal. Health & Safety Code § 11369)

Statutes defining or using this term

Related terms in the same statutes

This reference is informational and is not legal advice.