Research Advisory Panel

California law, pursuant to Health & Safety Code Sections §11480 & §11481, requires proposed research projects using certain opioid, stimulant, and hallucinogenic drugs classified as Schedule I and Schedule II Controlled Substances as their main study drug(s), to be reviewed and authorized by the Research Advisory Panel of California in the Attorney General's Office. See the Guidelines page for specific criteria.

The Research Advisory Panel primarily seeks to ensure the safety and protection of participating human research subjects and adequate security of the controlled substances used in the study. The Panel Members evaluate the scientific validity of each proposed project, and may reject proposals where the research is poorly conceived, would produce conclusions of little scientific value, or would not justify the exposure of California subjects to the risk of research.

During 2012 the Panel reviewed twenty-five research study submissions. Twenty-three were approved by the Panel. Among twenty-three approved studies, three studies were Academic research studies, two studies were Substance Abuse Treatment research protocols, and eighteen studies were Multi-Clinical Drug Trial research studies.

At the end of 2012, the Panel was monitoring 120 research projects.

Applicants may contact the Panel Office, or utilize the DEA Controlled Substance Listings link for further information on controlled substance schedules.