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AB-1778 • 2026

Controlled substances: testosterone.

Controlled substances: testosterone.

Passed Legislature

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

Sponsor
Patterson
Last action
2026-06-01
Official status
From committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to committee. Read second time, amended, and re-referred to Com. on PUB. S.
Effective date
Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The official source does not provide specific details on the exact nature of future changes in federal law that would trigger California's action, nor does it specify what happens if testosterone becomes more restrictive at the federal level.

Testosterone in California's Drug Laws

This law says that if federal rules change and make testosterone less restricted, then California will follow those changes too.

What This Bill Does

  • If the federal government moves testosterone or dihydrotestosterone (DHT) to a less restrictive category for controlled substances, California will also reschedule these substances accordingly.

Who It Names or Affects

  • People who use testosterone as a medicine or for other reasons.
  • Doctors who prescribe testosterone.
  • Pharmacies that sell testosterone products.

Terms To Know

Controlled substances
Drugs and medicines that are regulated by the government because they can be dangerous if not used correctly.
Schedule III
A category for controlled substances that have a higher potential for abuse than Schedule IV drugs but less than Schedule II drugs, and may lead to moderate or low physical dependence or high psychological dependence.

Limits and Unknowns

  • The bill only changes California's rules if the federal government first makes testosterone or DHT less restricted.
  • It does not specify what happens if testosterone is made more restrictive by federal law.
  • This bill has passed both chambers of the California Legislature but needs further action.

Bill History

  1. 2026-06-01 California Legislative Information

    From committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to committee. Read second time, amended, and re-referred to Com. on PUB. S.

  2. 2026-05-27 California Legislative Information

    Referred to Com. on PUB. S.

  3. 2026-05-14 California Legislative Information

    In Senate. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment.

  4. 2026-05-14 California Legislative Information

    Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Senate. (Ayes 77. Noes 0.)

  5. 2026-05-07 California Legislative Information

    Read second time. Ordered to Consent Calendar.

  6. 2026-05-06 California Legislative Information

    From committee: Do pass. To Consent Calendar. (Ayes 14. Noes 0.) (May 6).

  7. 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.

  8. 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.

  9. 2026-03-02 California Legislative Information

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

  10. 2026-02-10 California Legislative Information

    From printer. May be heard in committee March 12.

  11. 2026-02-09 California Legislative Information

    Read first time. To print.

Official Summary Text

AB 1778, as amended, 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
or dihydrotestosterone
is excluded from Schedule III of the federal Controlled Substances Act and reclassified
to a
less restrictive schedule
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