BILL ANALYSIS Ó SB 1283 Page 1 Date of Hearing: August 6, 2014 ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS Mike Gatto, Chair SB 1283 (Galgiani) - As Amended: August 4, 2014 Policy Committee: Public SafetyVote:7-0 Urgency: No State Mandated Local Program: Yes Reimbursable: No SUMMARY This bill creates an infraction, with a maximum fine of $250, for use and possession of specified synthetic stimulant compounds and derivatives, or synthetic cannabinoids and derivatives. FISCAL EFFECT Negligible law enforcement costs, offset to a minor degree by increased fine revenue. COMMENTS 1)Rationale . This is an effort by the author to address designer analog drugs, often referred to as bath salts (stimulants) or synthetic marijuana (cannabinoids) for which possession for sale is a crime, but straight possession is not. According to the author, "The current law relating to synthetic drugs is inconsistent with the rest of the law relating to controlled substances. Although possession for sale is currently illegal, simple use and possession is perfectly legal. This incentivizes the use of these drugs despite their inherent danger. Kids believe that it's not dangerous if it isn't illegal. Also, the manufacturers of these drugs market their product to kids as 'legal drugs' because if the kids get caught, they will not face any punishment." 2)Support . According to the California Narcotic Officers' Association, " 'Ivory Wave,' 'Purple Wave,' 'Vanilla Sky,' and 'Bliss' are among the many street names of so-called designer drugs known as 'bath salts,' which have sparked thousands of SB 1283 Page 2 calls to poison centers across the U.S. These drugs contain synthetic chemicals that are similar to amphetamines. Some, but not all, of the chemicals used to make them are illegal. "With names like Spice, K2, No More Mr. Nice Guy, and hundreds of others, the drugs often called 'synthetic marijuana' are - in reality - very different from marijuana. They contain powerful chemicals called cannabimimetics and can cause dangerous health effects. The drugs are made specifically to be abused. Like many other illegal drugs, synthetic marijuana is not tested for safety, and users don't really know exactly what chemicals they are putting into their bodies. "Although sale and possession for sale are prohibited in California, possession of bath salts or spice is permitted. Put simply, these are products that not only harm the user, they are pharmacological assault weapons." Analysis Prepared by : Geoff Long / APPR. / (916) 319-2081