Enhancements: concentrated cannabis.
If enacted, AB 2296 will modify existing California law to include concentrated cannabis among the controlled substances that trigger enhanced penalties when children are present during the commission of the crime. Specifically, the bill imposes a two-year additional prison sentence for crimes involving concentrated cannabis and a five-year enhancement if a child suffers great bodily injury as a result. This aims to deter drug offenses occurring in the presence of children, addressing both public safety and welfare.
Assembly Bill No. 2296, introduced by Assembly Member Villapudua, seeks to amend Section 11379.7 of the Health and Safety Code, specifically focusing on crimes related to controlled substances, including concentrated cannabis. The bill introduces a new sentencing enhancement for individuals convicted of manufacturing, converting, or producing concentrated cannabis when the crime occurs in a structure where a child under 16 is present. This new provision parallels existing laws regarding methamphetamine and phencyclidine, thereby expanding protections for minors in drug-related scenarios.
The potential implications of AB 2296 are multifaceted. Proponents argue that it strengthens the legal framework designed to protect children from the negative impacts associated with illegal drug activities. However, critics may raise concerns about the increasing severity of penalties for drug-related offenses and whether these enhancements may disproportionately affect certain populations. Opposition may also arise regarding the adequacy of existing laws, questioning the necessity of further penal measures in mitigating drug offenses in residential areas.