Under federal law (applicable in all states) it is illegal for a person to knowingly or intentionally possess a controlled substance, unless the substance was obtained through a valid prescription or order from a practitioner, while acting in the course of the practitioner’s professional practice. See 21 U.S.C. §844.

The term controlled substance means a drug or other substance—or an immediate precursor to the drug or other substance—that is included in schedule I, II, III, IV, or V of the relevant portion of the United States Code (statute). See 21 U.S.C. §841.

The term practitioner means a physician, dentist, veterinarian, scientific investigator, pharmacy, hospital, or other person licensed, registered, or otherwise permitted by the United States or the jurisdiction (state) in which he practices or does research to distribute, dispense, conduct related research, administer, or use in teaching or chemical analysis a controlled substance in the course of such professional practice or research. 21 U.S.C. §802(21).

As under federal law, state laws usually classify substances in groups or schedules that determine which substances are included in the definition of controlled substances, and the potential penalties or punishments for possessing them without legal authorization. Criminal charges and penalties for these offenses vary from state to state and are usually located in a state’s statutes—often in the penal or criminal code. Illegal possession of controlled substances may also be prosecuted under federal law. See 21 U.S.C. §844.

Under both federal and California state law, it is illegal to possess a controlled substance without a valid prescription or order from a licensed practitioner. Controlled substances are classified into five schedules (I-V) based on their potential for abuse, medical use, and safety, as outlined in 21 U.S.C. §841. Practitioners, as defined in 21 U.S.C. §802(21), include professionals like physicians and pharmacists who are authorized to handle these substances in their practice or research. In California, the Health and Safety Code sections 11350 and following outline the state's controlled substances laws, which mirror federal regulations and provide the framework for prosecution and penalties for illegal possession. Penalties for possession can vary widely based on the substance's schedule, the amount in possession, and other factors such as prior convictions or intent to distribute.