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AB-1778 • 2026

Controlled substances: testosterone.

Controlled substances: testosterone.

Healthcare
Passed Legislature

This bill passed both chambers and reached final enrollment, even if later executive action is not shown here.

Sponsor
Patterson
Last action
2026-04-22
Official status
From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. with recommendation: To Consent Calendar. (Ayes 9. Noes 0.) (April 21). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.
Effective date
Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The bill's effects depend on actions by the federal government that have not yet happened.

Testosterone in California's Drug Laws

This law says that if testosterone is removed from the federal Schedule III list of controlled substances and reclassified or exempted, California will follow these changes.

What This Bill Does

  • If testosterone is excluded from Schedule III of the federal Controlled Substances Act and reclassified or exempted, this bill would deem it to be rescheduled or exempted under California's laws.

Who It Names or Affects

  • People who use testosterone for medical reasons
  • Doctors and pharmacists who prescribe or dispense testosterone

Terms To Know

Controlled Substances Act
A law that lists drugs by how dangerous they are and controls their use.
Schedule III
One of five categories in the Controlled Substances Act, which has less strict rules than Schedule I or II but stricter rules than Schedules IV and V.

Limits and Unknowns

  • The bill only applies to future changes in federal law regarding testosterone's classification; current status remains unchanged.
  • Does not specify what happens if federal law does not change how testosterone is classified.

Bill History

  1. 2026-04-22 California Legislative Information

    From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. with recommendation: To Consent Calendar. (Ayes 9. Noes 0.) (April 21). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.

  2. 2026-04-07 California Legislative Information

    From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on PUB. S. with recommendation: To Consent Calendar. (Ayes 19. Noes 0.) (April 7). Re-referred to Com. on PUB. S.

  3. 2026-03-02 California Legislative Information

    Referred to Coms. on B. & P. and PUB. S.

  4. 2026-02-10 California Legislative Information

    From printer. May be heard in committee March 12.

  5. 2026-02-09 California Legislative Information

    Read first time. To print.

Official Summary Text

AB 1778, as introduced, Patterson.
Controlled substances: testosterone.
Existing law, the California Uniform Controlled Substances Act, classifies controlled substances into 5 designated schedules, with the most restrictive limitations generally placed on controlled substances classified in Schedule I, and the least restrictive limitations generally placed on controlled substances classified in Schedule V. Existing federal law also regulates controlled substances by schedule. Under existing state and federal law, testosterone is classified as a Schedule III controlled substance.
This bill would, if testosterone is excluded from Schedule III of the federal Controlled Substances Act and reclassified or exempted from the act, deem it to be rescheduled or exempted, respectively, under this division.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text 
Download Bill PDF