Controlled substances: research.

Assembly Member Ward's legislation revises California's controlled substances research approval process by modifying the Research Advisory Panel's operations through 2028. The bill establishes an expedited review pathway for certain Schedule I and II controlled substance studies that have obtained institutional review board approval and independent peer review. Under this process, the panel chair may deputize members to evaluate and approve qualifying research applications without full panel votes.

The measure authorizes the panel to withdraw project approvals with cause, requiring written notice and an opportunity for researchers to address concerns before revocation. It maintains the panel's existing authority to conduct closed sessions for reviewing sensitive research information while extending this provision through January 1, 2028. Panel members assigned to expedited reviews are exempted from open meeting requirements during this period.

The legislation requires the panel to report to the Legislature by January 1, 2026 on its application backlog, including the number of applications reviewed and pending. It also mandates annual reports to the Legislature and Governor detailing approved projects, their nature, approval method, and available findings. The Attorney General must collaborate with the panel chair on related regulations.

The bill's findings state that limiting public access to certain panel meetings is necessary to facilitate efficient reviews while protecting research subject privacy and confidential information such as trade secrets and intellectual property. These provisions aim to balance research advancement with appropriate oversight of controlled substance studies.