ARTER & HADDEN LLP
                                ATTORNEYS AT LAW

                                  [LETTERHEAD]



                                February 28, 2001


Isonics Corporation
5606 McIntyre Street
Golden, Colorado 80403

     Re:  REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON FORM SB-2

Gentlemen:

     We have acted as special California counsel to Isonics Corporation (the
"Company") in connection with the preparation and filing with the Securities and
Exchange Commission under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, of a
Registration Statement on Form SB-2 (the "Registration Statement") relating to
the public resale offering by certain selling shareholders of 450,000 shares of
the Company's common stock and 900,000 Class B Common Stock Purchase Warrants
("Class B Warrants"), as well as the public offering by the Company of 900,000
shares of its common stock underlying the Class B Warrants, 900,000 Class C
Common Stock Purchase Warrants ("Class C Warrants") and 900,000 shares of its
common stock underlying the Class C Warrants (collectively, the "Securities"),
all as described in the Prospectus in the Registration Statement ("Prospectus").

     In so acting, we have examined and relied upon the original or copies,
certified or otherwise identified to our satisfaction, of such corporate
records, documents, certificates, and other instruments, and such factual
information otherwise supplied to us by the Company as in our judgment are
necessary or appropriate to enable us to render the opinion expressed below.

     On the basis of and subject to the foregoing, we are of the opinion that
the Securities, when sold pursuant to the Registration Statement and Prospectus,
will, under the laws of the State of California, upon sale thereof in accordance
with the terms set forth in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus, be
duly and validly issued, fully paid, and non-assessable.

     We consent to the use of this opinion as an exhibit to the Registration
Statement and to the use of our name under the heading "Legal Matters" in the
Prospectus forming a part of the Registration Statement. Norton o Lidstone,
P.C., of Englewood, Colorado, is authorized to rely on this opinion for purposes
of issuing its legal opinions with regard to the Securities.


                                       Very truly yours,

                                       /s/ Arter & Hadden LLP

                                       ARTER & HADDEN LLP