- The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) ruling enables physicians to prescribe Epidiolex, a non-synthetic cannabis-derived medicine from United Kingdom-grown cannabis
- Cannabis entrepreneurs applaud the decision, even though it only applies to that specific drug; DEA decision requires approval of medications by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA)
- Several other CBD medications are in the pipeline for consideration by the FDA; move is seen as legitimizing the industry and changing it to traditional distribution of prescription-to-drug store
The DEA decision to approve the first non-synthetic CBD-derived drug, Epidiolex, and remove it from the agency’s most restrictive class of controlled substances is seen as having a positive impact on the cannabis industry and altering its channel of distribution, according to an article in the Hemp Industry Daily (http://cnw.fm/W2lbZ). It is the first time that the agency has removed any type of cannabis from Schedule I.
The DEA has reclassified ‘finished dosage formulations’ of CBD and FDA-approved drugs that contain cannabis-derived CBD and less than 0.1 percent tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) as Schedule V. The decision comes after the FDA’s initial approval of the non-synthetic CBD-based drug to treat rare cases of epilepsy, the article notes.
Epidiolex has been rescheduled from Schedule I to Schedule V of the Controlled Substances Act. It was the first plant-based cannabis drug to be approved by the FDA. The most significant part of the decision is that the drug can be distributed through traditional pharmaceutical channels to patients based on a prescription from a doctor. It also means that the odds of successful commercialization of cannabis-based therapeutics have been greatly increased, both in the U.S. and globally, per the article.
ETST (OTCQB: ETST), a marketer of high purity and high grade full spectrum cannabidiol (CBD), believes that once the DEA’s decision goes into effect, it will be easier for companies to plan clinical studies with CBD. It also emboldens ETST’s strategy of becoming a licensed distributor that plans to work closely with researchers and pharmacists to serve the growing cannabis market (http://cnw.fm/INhJ9).
James Minutello, CEO of Leaf Logix, a Glendale, California, company that manufactures business management software for the cannabis market, stated in the article, “We’re one step closer to finally ending prohibition and legitimizing the industry.”
More from CannabisNewsWire
About CBDWire
CBDWire (CBDW) is an information service that provides (1) access to our news aggregation and syndication servers, (2) CBDNewsBreaks that summarize corporate news and information, (3) enhanced press release services, (4) social media distribution and optimization services, and (5) a full array of corporate communication solutions. As a multifaceted financial news and content distribution company with an extensive team of contributing journalists and writers, CBDW is uniquely positioned to best serve private and public companies that desire to reach a wide audience of investors, consumers, journalists and the general public. CBDW has an ever-growing distribution network of more than 5,000 key syndication outlets across the country. By cutting through the overload of information in today’s market, CBDW brings its clients unparalleled visibility, recognition and brand awareness. CBDW is where news, content and information converge.
To receive instant SMS alerts, text CBDWire to 21000 (U.S. Mobile Phones Only)
For more information please visit https://www.cbdwire.com
Please see full terms of use and disclaimers on the CBDWire website applicable to all content provided by CBDW, wherever published or re-published: https://CBDWire.com/Disclaimer
CBDWire (CBDW)
Denver, Colorado
cbdwire.com
303.498.7722 Office
Editor@CBDWire.com
