RAP-C

California law, pursuant to Health & Safety Code Sections §11480 & §11481, requires proposed research studies 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 (RAP-C) in the Attorney General’s Office. See the Guidelines page for specific criteria.

The RAP-C’s stated purpose is “…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. 

CSAP understands that many of you our concerned about California’s Research Advisory Panel (RAP-C) not functioning well enough. Recently, a coalition of physicians and organizations sent a letter to the Governor, Attorney General, and state legislators calling for RAP-C to be disbanded or changed. You may view the letter here. CSAP is considering further action and we will update you on this issue possibly as soon as next week. For those of you unfamiliar with this issue or the RAP-C, please see this recent LA Times article: A California panel is holding up studies on psychedelics. Some researchers want it gone.