Skip to content
Search AI Powered

Latest Stories

A Marijuana-Based Treatment For Seizures Is One Step Closer to Federal Approval

In a historical move, the FDA is about to approve the use of CBD medication to treat seizures.

For the first time, a federal advisory committee has recommended that the Food and Drug Association (FDA) vote to approve a prescription cannabidiol medicine. The medication, known as Epidiolex, is a form of cannabidiol (CBD), which is a cannabis derivative. According to a report by NBC News, approval of the medication would be limited to treating seizures caused by Lennox-Gastaut syndrome and Dravet syndrome in patients aged 2 and older. Although the FDA has indicated that it would vote in favor or approval, the medication has only received such a recommendation from the aforementioned federal advisory committee after a unanimous vote. The FDA is expected to make a final decision by June.

As previously reported in December, Dravet syndrome has already been treated in legal states by cannabis-oil derivatives. A study in the New England Journal of Medicineindicated that out of 120 children, half experienced reduction of the frequency of seizures when treated with medicinal cannabis-based products.


“Both Lennox-Gastaut syndrome and Dravet syndrome are rare, severe, refractory epilepsy syndromes with onset in early childhood,” the FDA said, in documents provided to the advisory committee.

“It’s not clear how or why CBD works, but studies show it does. The results from these three studies provide substantial evidence of the effectiveness of CBD for the treatment of seizures associated with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome and Dravet syndrome. In general, the risks associated with CBD treatment appear acceptable, particularly given the findings of clinical efficacy in LGS and DS, which are serious, debilitating, and life-threatening disorders.”

Historically, any form of CBD has been considered a Schedule 1 controlled substance. Schedule 1 medications are defined by the DEA as having no verifiable medical benefit. The pending approval of a cannabis medication demonstrates a notable shift in established cannabis policy.

“Epidiolex represents hope for the many individuals living with intractable seizures and rare epilepsies, who every day face incredible challenges and disabling seizures, and live with the continual risk of serious injury and death,” said Philip Gattone, president and CEO of the Epilepsy Foundation.

The internet currently contains thousands of CBD products. However, these products have not received FDA approval and their effectiveness as medications have not been scientifically substantiated. Previously, the FDA has approved a few other marijuana-based products, including Marinol, which is a THC-based medication used to treat severe weight loss in AIDS patients.

"It's very important to highlight that the drug used in this study, cannabidiol, was derived from cannabis plants, and purified to 99 percent purity," Devinsky told NBC News. "This is not something you can get from a dispensary today in the United States. It's not something that you can get by smoking marijuana. It is a very specific pharmaceutical grade product derived from marijuana, but quite different than what is available anywhere else right now in the United States."

News of the pending approval was met with widespread approval on various social media platform, with many users sharing the potentially historic decision:

[embed]

[/embed]

CBD is different from other forms of marijuana, in that it does not contain THC, a necessary component needed to produce psychological effects and the typical “high” associated with marijuana.

Currently, 29 states have legalized medical marijuana, as the public narrative surrounding the medical benefits of marijuana continues to change.

More from News

Jesse Watters
Fox News

Jesse Watters Dragged After Adding Another Mind-Boggling Rule For 'Real Men'

Fox News host Jesse Watters, who is apparently an authority of what it means to be a manly man, gave jazz hands to make a point about how "real men" should or shouldn't wave.

The target of his ridicule was Tim Walz, the enthusiastic Democratic Minnesota governor and vice presidential candidate who often greets the public by raising both hands in the air to wave.

Keep ReadingShow less
Screenshots of crowd at town hall and Rep. Mike Flood
@MorePerfectUS/X; KETV NewsWatch 7

GOP Rep. Goes Viral For His Response To Crowd Chanting 'Tax The Rich' At Town Hall

Nebraska Republican Representative Mike Flood was criticized following his incredulous response to a crowd that chanted "Tax the rich!" during a town hall meeting.

The Columbus High School auditorium hosted the town hall on Tuesday evening, drawing "nearly 380" attendees, according to local network KETV Omaha. The event was lively, with Flood facing both sharp criticism over Trump administration policies and some appreciation for showing up in person.

Keep ReadingShow less
Elon Musk
Andrew Harnik/Getty Images

Awkward Typo In Elon Musk's Bizarre 'Education Department' Trump Meme Is A Total Self-Own

Billionaire Elon Musk was widely mocked after he celebrated President Donald Trump's executive order to begin to dismantle the Department of Education (DOE) by posting a meme of Trump at the department's grave, only for an awkward misspelling to get all the attention.

Polling indicates that eliminating the Education Department is largely unpopular, with 60% of registered voters opposing the move, according to a Quinnipiac University survey conducted March 6-10. Support stands at 33%, with opposition particularly strong among Democrats—98% oppose it, while just 1% support it.

Keep ReadingShow less
JB Pritzker; Donald Trump
Jacek Boczarski/Anadolu via Getty Images; Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images

Dem Governor Reveals Trump's Bonkers Demand In Exchange For Equipment During COVID

Illinois Democratic Governor J.B. Pritzker revealed during a speech this week that he clashed with President Donald Trump during the first Trump administration after Trump promised necessary medical equipment during the COVID pandemic on the condition that Pritzker praise him publicly.

Five years ago, the United States was grappling with the initial impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. The country had entered shutdowns that had severe economic consequences, leaving businesses and industries on the brink of collapse.

Keep ReadingShow less
Scrabble tiles spelling the word scam
Scam spelled with scrabbles on a wooden table

People Break Down How They Realized An Entire Industry Was A Total Scam

We unfortunately live in a world where scams are on the rise.

Thankfully, some of them are pretty easy to detect, such as an automated call from the IRS telling you a warrant is out for your arrest, or an email claiming to be from Amazon or the USPS asking for your credit card information, only to look closer and see the email address is a yahoo account.

Keep ReadingShow less