A state task force will most likely shift the punishment on fentanyl-related deaths caused by drug dealers, making those crimes charged with second degree murder.

It could start as early as 2024, which is right around the corner, even as Fresno County has already implemented this legal change.

The Fresno County District Attorney's Office is one of just a few counties in that state that has already charged a suspected drug dealer linked to a fatal overdose with murder, according to MSN.

District Attorney Lisa Smittcamp believes Governor Gavin Newsom and Attorney General Rob Bonta's creation of this task force, is for the purpose to get votes for the next year's election season.

“This is murder without using a weapon, this is murder without using a firearm. The weapon is fentanyl,” said Smittcamp.

DA Smittcamp had announced the first fentanyl overdose death for the county last October.

According to News Nation, “22-year-old Cassidy Gonzalez was charged with murder for the death of 41-year-old Jade Dreith, who died after taking an illegal pill.”

“Anybody who is honestly and legitimately serious about making fentanyl dealers, traffickers, transporters more accountable, I'm all for it,” she said.

Smittcamp expressed support for the task force, in order to make drug dealers legally accountable in dealing with fentanyl.

“I just have to question the motives, because Governor Newsom and Attorney General Rob Bonta have contributed to this crisis,” stated Smittcamp. “Them and their cronies.”

“There is no penalty between very few days if any at all in a local jail, and what we call now fentanyl murder. And there is nothing in between for local and state prosecutors. That is why we are going to this extreme,” she said.