FDA OKs First Drug Containing CBD

In a regulatory first, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration on Monday said it had approved a drug with an ingredient derived from the marijuana plant.

In a statement, the agency said it had “approved Epidiolex [cannabidiol, or CBD] oral solution for the treatment of seizures associated with two rare and severe forms of epilepsy, Lennox-Gastaut syndrome and Dravet syndrome, in patients 2 years of age and older.”

CBD is derived from the cannabis plant but it does not create any “high” in users. CBD oils and other CBD products have become highly popular across the United States in recent years, for the treatment of pain and other issues.

This is the first time the FDA has approved such a product for any medicinal use, however. In a statement, agency Commissioner Dr. Scott Gottlieb said regulatory approval and oversight is important to safeguard patients.
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