SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Assembly Bill 2336 was proposed Wednesday, which would being found with fentanyl and a firearm a felony.
Similar laws already exist for other controlled substances, like cocaine and methamphetamine. Supporters say it’s time for fentanyl to be treated the same.
Rhonda Manning is a mother and activist that spoke at the press conference for the bill.
“On Oct. 3, my husband and I got a call after he spent a night at a friend’s house in our neighborhood that my son didn’t wake,” said Manning.
Rhonda Manning’s son, Major, was supposed to graduate from high school this year, but now the only cap and gown photo she has of him is from kindergarten.
“The only thing worse than losing someone you love is knowing they didn’t have to die that their death was preventable,” said Manning.
Three months ago, her son was out with friends, and they decided to try what they thought was a Percocet. It was fentanyl.
He died a few hours later. His death just one of the reasons Stockton Assemblyman Carlos Villapudua is introducing a bill that would close one of the loopholes when it comes to harsher punishments for dealers.
“The dangers of possessing hard drugs with fentanyl creates rampant escalation of violence and permanent life changing consequences,” said Villapudua.
Assembly Bill 2336 would create harsher penalties for dealers, making it a felony to possess fentanyl and a loaded firearm. This law already exists for substances like methamphetamine, cocaine and heroin.
San Joaquin County District Attorney Ron Freitas supports the bill, saying it directly targets dealers.
“I cannot protect the residents of San Joaquin County alone and without the tools that this bill is proposing,” said Freitas.
Villapudua said he is making the fight against fentanyl a priority. Last year, his bill that added additional prison time for possession of fentanyl was signed into law.
The Sacramento County Sheriff's Office said they are also in support of this bill.
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