Existing law, the California Uniform Controlled Substances Act, classifies controlled substances into 5 designated schedules, with the most restrictive limitations generally placed on controlled substances classified in Schedule I, and the least restrictive limitations generally placed on controlled substances classified in Schedule V. Under existing law, the sale or distribution of specified intoxicating substances is a crime, punishable by imprisonment or a fine or both. Existing law makes the possession of not more than 28.5 grams of marijuana an infraction, and the possession of more than 28.5 grams of marijuana a misdemeanor, as specified. Existing law makes possession of marijuana for sale a felony.
California SB 420 (20112012) — Synthetic cannabinoid compounds.
Existing law, the California Uniform Controlled Substances Act, classifies controlled substances into 5 designated schedules, with the most restrictive limitations generally placed on controlled substances classified in Schedule I, and the least restrictive limitations generally placed on controlled substances classified in Schedule V. Under existing law, the sale or distribution of specified intoxicating substances is a crime, punishable by imprisonment or a fine or both. Existing law makes the possession of not more than 28.5 grams of marijuana an infraction, and the possession of more than 28.5 grams of marijuana a misdemeanor, as specified. Existing law makes possession of marijuana for sale a felony.
Version chain
The bill's text revisions, in order — the diff chain from filing to enrollment.
Do pass, but re-refer to the Committee on Appropriations. — 7–0 (pass) · upper
Unfinished Business SB420 Hernandez Concurrence — 37–0 (pass) · upper
SB 420 Hernandez Senate Third Reading By HUESO — 73–3 (pass) · lower
Do pass. — 16–0 (pass) · lower
Special Consent #2 — 40–0 (pass) · upper
Do pass as amended and be re-referred to the Committee on Appropriations. — 6–0 (pass) · lower
Sponsors
Hernandez — primary (person)
Hueso — principal coauthor (person)
Timeline
The legislative action history — every referral, reading, and vote.
2011-02-16 Introduced. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment. To print. introduction, reading-1
2011-02-17 From printer. May be acted upon on or after March 19.
2011-02-24 Referred to Com. on PUB. S. referral-committee
2011-03-29 Set for hearing April 5.
2011-03-31 Set, first hearing. Further hearing to be set.
2011-04-01 Set for hearing April 12.
2011-04-04 From committee with author's amendments. Read second time and amended. Re-referred to Com. on PUB. S. reading-2, reading-1, committee-passage, amendment-passage, referral-committee
2011-04-12 From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 7. Noes 0. Page 621.) (April 12). Re-referred to Com. on APPR. referral-committee, committee-passage, committee-passage-favorable
2011-04-13 Set for hearing May 2.
2011-05-03 From committee: Be placed on second reading file pursuant to Senate Rule 28.8. committee-passage
2011-05-04 Read second time. Ordered to third reading. reading-2, reading-1
2011-05-04 Ordered to special consent calendar.
2011-05-09 Read third time. Passed. (Ayes 40. Noes 0. Page 906.) Ordered to the Assembly. reading-3, reading-1, passage
2011-05-09 In Assembly. Read first time. Held at Desk. reading-1
2011-05-19 Referred to Com. on PUB. S. referral-committee
2011-06-14 Set, first hearing. Hearing canceled at the request of author.
2011-06-27 From committee: Do pass as amended and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 6. Noes 0.) (June 21). amendment-passage, committee-passage, committee-passage-favorable
2011-06-28 Read second time and amended. Re-referred to Com. on APPR. reading-2, reading-1, amendment-passage, referral-committee
2011-07-06 From committee: Do pass. (Ayes 16. Noes 0.) (July 6). committee-passage, committee-passage-favorable
2011-07-07 Read second time. Ordered to third reading. reading-2, reading-1
2011-07-11 Read third time. Passed. (Ayes 73. Noes 3. Page 2257.) Ordered to the Senate. reading-3, reading-1, passage
2011-07-11 In Senate. Concurrence in Assembly amendments pending.
2011-08-30 Assembly amendments concurred in. (Ayes 37. Noes 0. Page 2141.) Ordered to engrossing and enrolling. committee-passage-favorable, amendment-passage
2011-09-06 Enrolled and presented to the Governor at 4:30 p.m.
2011-10-02 Approved by the Governor. executive-signature
2011-10-02 Chaptered by Secretary of State. Chapter 420, Statutes of 2011.
Source
OpenStates / OpenCivicData bulk snapshot 2026-07-01; origin ocd-bill/b03e225e-1267-4c73-b107-3f0112faa9ac. Confidence: reported (aggregated from official California legislature records).