Fentanyl Dealers get off Easy Thanks to California Public Safety Committee as They Refuse to Vote on Bill Closing Dangerous Loophole
FENTANYL DEALERS GET OFF EASY THANKS TO CALIFORNIA PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE AS THEY REFUSE TO VOTE ON BILL CLOSING DANGEROUS LOOPHOLE
SACRAMENTO – With overdoses from fentanyl at an all-time high and many states cracking down on fentanyl dealers, California is going in the opposite direction.
Assemblyman Patterson was informed today that his bill (AB 1058) to close a dangerous loophole letting fentanyl dealers off with minimal punishment, will not be heard by the Assembly Public Safety Committee because the bill increases penalties – something the committee admitted they refuse to do.
THE FENTANYL DEALER LOOPHOLE
Current law used to determine sentencing for dealers is written based on the weight of drugs seized. Harsher sentences can be given if a person has 1 kilogram or more of an illicit drug (fentanyl, heroin etc).
This law does not take into account the fact that as little as two milligrams of fentanyl, about 5 grains of salt, is enough to kill someone.
THE IMPACT
As a real-life example of the current loophole: A dealer with a sack of 1,100 pills will likely only face a minimal drug charge if caught because the weight of the pills falls below the kilogram threshold. They will be back on the streets even though the pills they are selling could kill many people based on how deadly they are.
THE LEGISLATION THAT COULD FIX IT
AB 1058 would have updated the penalty structure for the fentanyl drug market by restructuring the penalty for dealers caught with 28.35 grams or more. This bill specifically targets dealers – not addicts. The weight limit was selected by a DEA agent who specializes in targeting dealers.
****Local law enforcement leaders, addiction treatment advocates and families who have lost loved ones to fentanyl overdose will join Assemblyman Jim Patterson tomorrow (Friday) at 3PM for an in person and virtual press conference. ****
WHO: Assemblyman Jim Patterson
Fresno County District Attorney Lisa Smittcamp
Madera County District Attorney Sally Moreno
Fresno Police Chief Paco Balderrama
Fresno County Assistant Sheriff Steve McComas
Founder of Parent and Addicts In Need (PAIN) Flindt Andersen
WHEN: FRIDAY March 24th at 3pm
WHERE: Fresno County District Attorney’s Office
2100 Tulare St, Fresno, CA 93721
VIA ZOOM: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84179725510
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(From the office of Assemblyman Jim Patterson)
