BILL ANALYSIS                                                                                                                                                                                                    �



                                                                  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