NIDA Drug Supply Program

The NIDA Drug Supply Program is administered by the Division of Therapeutics and Medical Consequences (DTMC). In addition to funding research in drug abuse, addiction, prevention, and treatment, NIDA facilitates such research to accomplish its mission by providing chemicals and research probes that are either unavailable, difficult to obtain, or very costly for researchers to procure. In addition, this program can also provide x-ray crystallographic analysis and analytical services for the analysis of researchers’ experimental samples.

The inventory contains numerous classes of drugs and chemicals listed below.  The inventory changes regularly so it is advised to contact the program mailbox at NDSP@rti.org to inquire if compounds are available.  The small molecules are for in vitro and in vivo studies only.

• Stimulants (e.g., amphetamines, cocaine, synthetic cathinones)
• Sedatives/Hypnotics (e.g., benzodiazepines, barbiturates)
• Hallucinogens/Empathogens (e.g., LSD, ibogaine, psilocybin, MDMA, etc.)
• Cannabinoids (e.g., delta8-, delta9-THC, THCA, THCV, CBD, CBG, CBN cannabichromene, CP-55,940, anandamide, 2-AG, SR141716A)
• Phencyclidines & Related Compounds
• Opioids – natural (e.g., morphine), semi-synthetic (e.g., oxycocone), and synthetic (e.g.,fentanyl and analogs)
• Designer Drugs (synthetic cathinones and cannabinoids)
• Cannabis Plant Material and Related Products
• Tobacco Research Cigarettes (e.g., low nicotine)

How to Request

The request process is now conducted by email.  The Program no longer accepts courier packages.  If you have any questions, please contact Mary MacDonald or the NDSP Mailbox.

A complete request package should contain the following items:

Cover Letter

• Name, phone number and e-mail address (and consignee, if applicable)
• Complete shipping address (this MUST correspond to the DEA 222 address, if applicable)
• NIH grant number (if applicable)
• Name, email and contact information of the grant PO/COR (if applicable)
• Name(s) and quantity of material requested
• A statement to acknowledge the NIDA Drug Supply Program in publications

Research Protocol

• Specific aims
• The number of experiments and experimental subjects
• The dosages or concentration of requested material
• Calculation and justification of requested amount-THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT!  Requests are carefully reviewed, and the lack of clear, explicit justification (i.e., “show the math”) for the amount of material being requested will result in, at best, a delay in approval, or potentially even denial until the deficiency is corrected.
• CV of requestor

For pre-clinical, non-human use requests

• A copy of the Animal Care & Use Committee approval letter

For clinical, human use requests

• Investigational New Drug (IND) number and a copy of FDA IND approval letter
• A copy of Institutional Review Board (IRB) approval letter
• A copy of Data Safety and Monitoring Plan
• Proof of registration with clinicaltrials.gov (i.e., NCT #)
• A copy of the study consent form(s)
• A copy of the front and back of current, valid (unexpired) DEA Form 223 registration for controlled substances (if applicable)
• A copy of Nuclear Regulatory Commission license for radiolabeled compounds (if applicable)

NIDA Drug Supply Program

• NIDA Drug Supply Program (DSP) Ordering Guidelines
  • Ordering Guidelines for Research Chemicals and Controlled Substances
  • Ordering Guidelines for Nicotine Research Cigarettes (NRCs)
  • Ordering Guidelines for Standardized Research Electronic Cigarette (SREC)
  • Ordering Guidelines for Cannabis and Cannabis Cigarettes
• NIDA Drug Supply Catalog (PDF, 11.6MB) - this document is not fully accessible, for help viewing this content, please contact Mary MacDonald.
  • Cannabis Plant Material Available from the NIDA Drug Supply Program
  • Frequently Asked Questions about Conducting Research with Cannabis (Marijuana and Hemp)
• Process for providing ‘marijuana’ cannabis for research
  • In human studies (NIH and non-NIH funded studies)
    Please follow instructions above on how to submit a request.
  • In non-NIH funded, non-human/basic research projects:
    1. Demonstrate scientific validity and ethical soundness. Research protocols are reviewed for scientific merit by a minimum of two non-government scientists, identified by the NIDA Drug Supply Program, with expertise in the research topic. As with all requests for controlled substances from NIDA’s Drug Supply Program investigators must submit a detailed research protocol including:
       • The specific aims and goals of proposed study
       • The experimental design including the number of experiments and experimental subjects and the dosages or concentration of drugs
       • Justification of quantities of drug(s) requested.
       • A document demonstrating that the research is approved by the Animal Care & Use Committee and that adequate care in conducting animal research will be exercised (if applicable).
    2. A DEA registration for marijuana, a Schedule I controlled substance.

Standard THC Unit To Be Used in Research

• Notice of Information: Establishment of a Standard THC Unit To Be Used in Research and FAQs

Nicotine Research Cigarettes Drug Supply Program (NRC)

• NRC Program Information

For additional information contact Mary MacDonald or NDSP General Mailbox