Medical Cannabis Product Approved for Epilepsy

The fuss surrounding cannabis lasts for a couple of years already. Vaping devices that have become popular in the United States boosted the first wave of cannabis popularity. Then the demand migrated from being an illicit hobby to gaining a reputation for effective treatment against some sorts of severe disease symptoms. It seems that the drumbeat of the plant will last for some more months, if not years.

The attention to cannabis has been invited by adopting a new law on the decriminalization of the drug in every other state. In conclusion, on June 25, 2018, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (henceforth FDA) has released an announcement that cannabidiol (henceforth CBD) oral solution is approved by federal law to be used as a treatment of seizures provoked by two severe forms of epilepsy, which occur rarely, but the other ways of treatment are still unknown.

AN OLD EVIL IS A NEW WELL?

Such FDA decision has set discussions afloat. Many people still see all forms of cannabis as dangerous, addictive, and improper. In fact, they have some reasons to believe so. Talking about the substance approved by the FDA, the point at issue is namely medical marijuana. This means that it causes no addiction and has undergone a number of medical studies and experiments in order to be allowed on such a high level.

Firstly, it is essential to note that medical marijuana is the best cbd oil for pain (vapingdaily tells more about this product) isolate. This is the purest possible form of the substance. In other words, scientists have found a way to disengage cannabidiol from other cannabinoids, terpenes, and tetrahydrocannabinol (henceforth THC). The basic form is either powder or the best cbd oil (it is the best because it is easier to apply it). Doctors often prescribe to use the best cbd.

Secondly, there exists another form of medical marijuana, which is usually sold in the form of the best full spectrum cbd oil. In this case, all the spectrum of cannabinoids, including cannabidiol, is extracted from the plant. Sometimes such CBD is prescribed because of the properties of the other cannabinoid elements. However, this is not the case of the treatment of the severe forms of epilepsy (Lennox-Gastaut and Dravet syndromes).

PROBLEM AREA

Lennox-Gastaut syndrome is a complex childhood-onset form of epilepsy. The main characteristics include slow spike waves on electroencephalogram (henceforth EEG), cognitive dysfunction, and multiple and concurrent seizure types. The last is to be suppressed by cannabis. This syndrome has a mortality rate of 5%. Scientists distinguish between genetic mutations and brain injuries as the main conditions of syndrome development. As for available treatment, there is no medical opportunity to manage a disease at the present day, so the doctors’ attention is focused on lowering the frequency and severity of seizures. The ways to cure the syndrome either by surgery or with the help of medications is being under development.

Dravet syndrome is also called severe myoclonic epilepsy of infancy (henceforth SMEI). The main characteristics include prolonged seizures, possible fever or hot temperature, and insomnia. Cannabis is seen as a means of seizures suppression. The disease is often detected before the age of 1. The condition has an opportunity to develop into other forms of epilepsy. This syndrome has a mortality rate of approximately 15%. The official trustworthy medical sources specify the mutated genes as the leading cause for the syndrome development. The medical treatment involves the use of anticonvulsant medications (for instance, valproate, stiripentol, or clobazam). Surgery and other medications’ effects have not been fully explored yet.

Both syndromes are treated individually according to the individual treatment protocol, but doctors confirm that sticking to the ketogenic diet is beneficial in both cases. The FDA also approved the use of Epidiolex – the best cbd isolate (meaning its pure form) as one of the possible ways of these epilepsy forms’ symptoms’ treatment.

THE NEW WORLD VS CORE EUROPE

On September 23, 2019, the European Union and the United Kingdom (even though now officially going under Brexit) has followed the tendency and greenlighted the use of medical marijuana as the treatment method for the same two severe forms of childhood epilepsy, mentioned above.

GREAT BRITAIN ‘CANNEXIT’ AFTER BREXIT?

The National Health Service (henceforth NHS) – a British organization similar to the FDA – does not recommend the use of medical marijuana at the present moment. This attitude is motivated by ‘lack of evidence of long-term effectiveness’ as said in the comment on this decision about a month ago.

In fact, there exists a list of legal products containing cannabis-derived elements in the UK. For example, nabilone – a synthetic cannabinoid often prescribed as an antiemetic and as an adjunct analgesic for neuropathic pain. The medicine takes over THC but is not addictive because of its artificial nature.

CANNABIS IN THE LAND OF WINTER AND DREAMS

In fact, Canada is a pioneer in decriminalizing cannabis. According to the Marihuana for Medical Purposes Regulations, it is legal to use medical marijuana in Canada since July 30, 2001 – almost two decades ago. Frankly speaking, the laws on cannabis have undergone a series of changes since that time.

Since 2017 you can freely use a number of cannabis forms. They include the best cbd oil, plant seeds, and fresh or dried plants. And since October of last year, the list is enlarged with cannabis topicals, extracts, and edibles. In addition, there exists a unique online service, where you can keep track of the legislation changes.

CANNABIS IN THE MIDDLE KINGDOM

China is famous for planting cannabis for years. Historically, it was used for fabric production and some traditional rituals. At the end of the last century, the country has recognized the physical and mental treatment of cannabis and made it illegal to consume. Many provinces have set the aim to become cannabis free to the beginning of the XXI century.

The Law on Public Security Administration Punishments claimed that marijuana smokers are to be deprived of freedom for about 15 days and fined for max 2000 yuan (less than $300). Nowadays, though the procession of cannabis is strictly regulated, China is making money on the cannabis industry. The country has become one of the major hemp producers and sells the product to other countries.

To sum up, the question of medical marijuana is still controversial, even though many developed countries make it legal again. The main problems that people think of are its severe physical health damage and possible addiction. At the same time, the example of China inspires to think of reasonable use of this natural resource for a better situation in public health service, textile industry, import, and export trade.