DEA reclassifies plant-derived marijuana medicine

According to a release issued by the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws, Epidiolex, a prescription medicine containing a standardized formulation of plant-derived cannabidiol (CBD), has been reclassified by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration to Schedule V — the lowest restriction classification available under federal law. Epidiolex is the first prescription drug derived from the marijuana plant.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration had previously approved the product in June for the explicit treatment of two rare forms of severe epilepsy: Lennox-Gastaut syndrome and Dravet syndrome. It is the first botanically-derived medicine from cannabis to receive U.S. market approval.

A spokesperson for the DEA affirmed that the change is only specific to Epidiolex and does not amend the schedule I status of either whole-plant cannabis or CBD:

“As of right now, any other CBD product other than Epidiolex remains a Schedule I controlled substance, so it’s still illegal under federal law.” [Read more at News Leader]