FDA Approves First Marijuana-Based Prescription Drug
Epidiolex is a liquid drug based from cannabidiol or CBD and is used to treat severe forms of epilepsy. CBD does not contain THC, which gives recreational marijuana smokers the feeling of being “high.” The drug was approved on Monday and has been shown to reduce seizures in patients with Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome and Dravet Syndrome. FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb issued a statement clarifying that the approval of the drug shouldn’t be confused with an approval for marijuana in general.
“This is the approval of one specific CBD medication for a specific use. This is a purified form of CBD. It’s being delivered to patients in a reliable dosage form and through a reproducible route of delivery to ensure that patients derive the anticipated benefits.” – Scott Gottlieb, FDA Commissioner, via NBC News
Epidiolex will be rescheduled within 90 days from its current Schedule I status before it can be made available to patients.