The five schedules
| Schedule | General description | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| I | No accepted medical use in the federal framework, high abuse potential | Heroin, LSD, MDMA, peyote |
| II | Accepted medical use, high abuse potential | Cocaine, methamphetamine, oxycodone, fentanyl |
| III | Moderate potential for dependence | Ketamine, anabolic steroids, some codeine combinations |
| IV | Lower potential | Benzodiazepines such as diazepam and alprazolam, zolpidem |
| V | Lowest potential | Certain low-dose codeine preparations |
Cannabis occupies its own track in California following Proposition 64 and is not treated like a Schedule I street drug for adult possession purposes, even though the federal scheduling picture differs.
Why the schedule drives the charge
- HS 11350 covers simple possession of certain Schedule I through V substances, including opiates and cocaine.
- HS 11377 covers possession of specified controlled substances including methamphetamine.
- Possession for sale, transportation, and manufacturing are separate and far heavier statutes.
- A prescription is a defense to possession of a scheduled pharmaceutical — the pills are only contraband when they are not lawfully yours.
Our HS 11350 vs HS 11377 guide covers the two possession statutes and their bail treatment in detail.
Prop 47, Prop 36, and where possession sits now
Proposition 47 made simple possession under both statutes a misdemeanor for most defendants in 2014. Proposition 36, passed in 2024, created a treatment-mandated felony option for defendants with qualifying prior drug convictions, pairing felony exposure with a treatment track. See Prop 47 for the full picture and diversion programs for the off-ramps.