Bill Text: CA AB1103 | 2025-2026 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Controlled substances: research.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)
Status: (Introduced) 2025-02-21 - From printer. May be heard in committee March 23. [AB1103 Detail]
Download: California-2025-AB1103-Introduced.html
CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE—
2025–2026 REGULAR SESSION
Assembly Bill
No. 1103
| Introduced by Assembly Member Ward |
February 20, 2025 |
An act to amend Sections 11213, 11480, and 11481, of the Health and Safety Code, relating to controlled substances.
LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST
AB 1103, as introduced, Ward.
Controlled substances: research.
Existing law, the California Uniform Controlled Substances Act, classifies controlled substances into 5 designated schedules, with the most restrictive limitations generally placed on controlled substances classified in Schedule I, and the least restrictive limitations generally placed on controlled substances classified in Schedule V. Existing law creates a Research Advisory Panel, as specified, to conduct hearings on, and in other ways study, research projects concerning controlled substances. Existing law authorizes the panel to approve research projects that have been registered with the Attorney General concerning the nature and effects of cannabis or hallucinogenic drugs and the treatment of abuse of controlled substances. Existing law authorizes a person who, under federal law, is entitled to use controlled substances for the purpose of research, instruction, or analysis, to
lawfully obtain and use those controlled substances upon approval by the panel, as specified.
The bill would exempt studies registered with the United States Drug Enforcement Agency into the therapeutic administration of psychedelics to treat specified disorders in military veterans and conducted at Veterans Affairs Administration facilities from authorization or review by the Research Advisory Panel.
Digest Key
Vote: MAJORITY Appropriation: NO Fiscal Committee: YES Local Program: NOBill Text
The people of the State of California do enact as follows:
SECTION 1.
Section 11213 of the Health and Safety Code is amended to read:11213.
(a) Persons who, under applicable federal laws or regulations, are lawfully entitled to use controlled substances for the purpose of research, instruction, or analysis, may lawfully obtain and use Such
(b) Such research, instruction, or analysis shall be carried on only under the auspices of the head of a research project which that has been approved by the Research Advisory Panel pursuant to Section 11480 or
Section 11481. Complete records of receipts, stocks at hand, and use of these controlled substances shall be kept.
(c) Notwithstanding any other law, a research study registered with the United States Drug Enforcement Agency into the therapeutic administration of psychedelics to treat military veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder, traumatic brain injury, substance use disorders, and treatment-resistant depression, and conducted at a Veterans Affairs Administration facility, is exempt from authorization or review by the Research Advisory Panel.
SEC. 2.
Section 11480 of the Health and Safety Code is amended to read:11480.
(a) The Legislature finds that there is a need to encourage further research into the nature and effects of cannabis and hallucinogenic drugs and to coordinate research efforts on such subjects.(b) There is a Research Advisory Panel that consists of a representative of the State Department of Health Services, a representative of the California State Board of Pharmacy, the State Public Health Officer, a representative of the Attorney General, a representative of the University of California who shall be a pharmacologist, a physician, or a person holding a doctorate degree in the health sciences, a representative of a private university in this state who shall be a pharmacologist, a physician, or a person holding a doctorate degree in the health sciences, a
representative of a statewide professional medical society in this state who shall be engaged in the private practice of medicine and shall be experienced in treating controlled substance dependency, a representative appointed by and serving at the pleasure of the Governor who shall have experience in drug abuse, cancer, or controlled substance research and who is either a registered nurse, licensed pursuant to Chapter 6 (commencing with Section 2700) of Division 2 of the Business and Professions Code, or other health professional. The Governor shall annually designate the private university and the professional medical society represented on the panel. Members of the panel shall be appointed by the heads of the entities to be represented, and they shall serve at the pleasure of the appointing power.
(c) The Research Advisory Panel shall appoint two special members to the Research Advisory Panel, who shall serve at the pleasure of the Research
Advisory Panel only during the period Article 6 (commencing with Section 11260) of Chapter 5 remains effective. The additional members shall be physicians and surgeons, and who are board certified in oncology, ophthalmology, or psychiatry.
(d) The panel shall annually select a chairperson from among its members.
(e) The panel may hold hearings on, and in other ways study, research projects concerning cannabis or hallucinogenic drugs in this state. Members of the panel shall serve without compensation, but shall be reimbursed for any actual and necessary expenses incurred in connection with the performance of their duties.
(f) The panel may approve research projects, which have been registered by the Attorney General, into the nature and effects of cannabis or hallucinogenic drugs, and shall inform the Attorney
General of the head of the approved research projects that are entitled to receive quantities of cannabis pursuant to Section 11478.
(g) The panel may withdraw approval of a research project at any time, and when approval is withdrawn shall notify the head of the research project to return any quantities of cannabis to the Attorney General.
(h) The panel shall report annually to the Legislature and the Governor those research projects approved by the panel, the nature of each research project, and, where available, the conclusions of the research project.
(i) Notwithstanding any other law, a research study registered with the United States Drug Enforcement Agency into the therapeutic administration of psychedelics to treat military
veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder, traumatic brain injury, substance use disorders, and treatment-resistant depression, and conducted at a Veterans Affairs Administration facility, is exempt from authorization or review by the Research Advisory Panel.
SEC. 3.
Section 11481 of the Health and Safety Code is amended to read:11481.
(a) The Research Advisory Panel may hold hearings on, and in other ways study, research projects concerning the treatment of abuse of controlled substances. The
(b) The panel may approve research projects, which have been registered by the Attorney General, concerning the treatment of abuse of controlled substances
and shall inform the chief of such approval. The panel may withdraw approval of a research project at any time and when approval is withdrawn shall so notify the chief.
The
(c) The panel shall, annually and in the manner determined by the panel, report to the Legislature and the Governor those research projects approved by the panel, the nature of each research project, and where available, the conclusions of the research project.
(d) Notwithstanding any
other law, a research study registered with the United States Drug Enforcement Agency into the therapeutic administration of psychedelics to treat military veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder, traumatic brain injury, substance use disorders, and treatment-resistant depression, and conducted at a Veterans Affairs Administration facility, is exempt from authorization or review by the Research Advisory Panel.
