Research Advisory Panel

California law, pursuant to Health & Safety Code Sections 11480 & 11481, requires proposed research projects involving certain opioid, stimulant, and hallucinogenic drugs classified as Schedule I and Schedule II Controlled Substances, 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 2009 the Panel reviewed forty new research study submissions. Thirty-six were approved by the Panel. Among thirty-six approved studies, fifteen studies were Academic research studies including five Substance Abuse Treatment research protocols and twenty-one studies were Clinical Drug Trial research protocols.

At the end of 2009, the Panel was monitoring 101 research projects.

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