The United States has approved, for the first time, a compound derived from marijuana to treat certain types of epilepsy. The ruling may spell good news for autism research.
The approval of Epidiolex, the new drug, will require a change in the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency’s classification of marijuana compounds as Schedule 1 drugs—meaning they have no medical use and strong potential for abuse—to something more benign. That decision is expected by 23 September.
The change would ease the path for researchers investigating whether marijuana can alleviate autism traits.
“The approval of Epidiolex has changed the regulatory landscape for cannabinoid products,” says Orrin Devinsky, who led some of the clinical trials on Epidiolex. “This will make future trials much easier and less expensive.” Devinsky is working on two other trials for autism.
I would be surprised if it doesn’t help some kids.
Epidiolex has been approved to alleviate seizures in ...
