Legislative Update
By: Ray Hill. Professor Emeritus
Santa Rosa Junior College

Prior References:

6/24/23 – LU Ref. #CAB00215 – Recent Law Enforcement Bills in the California Legislature – Canines, Consent Searches, Pretext Stops (SB 50).

8/19/23 - LU Ref. # CAB 000219 – State Lawmaker Proposes Old LWOP Cases Be Eligible for Recall and Resentencing (SB 94).

Thankfully for now, both these bills were transferred to the Assembly inactive file (9/14/23). This means they are dormant for now, but can be recalled at anytime.

Expect both these bills to resurface for the 2024 legislative session, likely along with past bills proposing restrictions on consent searches and limiting the use of police canines that did not make it out of the Assembly this year.  Regretfully, the California Legislature will in part continue to try to interpret the U.S. Constitution based upon political pressure from a sizeable and diverse number of coalition groups.

SB 58 (Sen, Scott Weiner – San Francisco) was forwarded to the Governor. This legislation would decriminalize possession or use of natural plant-based psychedelics by anyone over 21 years, including psilocybin, psilocin, dimethyltryptamine, or DMT, and mescaline. Legal possession limits include 4 grams of mescaline and one ounce of psilocybin. The law would not apply to possessing LSD or Ecstasy, however, these substances will be under further study. It also does not apply to possession on school grounds.

The Governor has to October 14 to sign or veto this legislation. If he fails to do either, the legislation will automatically become law on 1/1/24.

Our respected colleague Bob Phillips will do a comprehensive update on New Laws - 2024 after the first of the year. Stay Tuned!

Stay Safe,

RH