The FDA Admits to Beneficial Elements of Cannabidiol

CBD has been shown to be beneficial in experimental models of several neurological disorders, including those of seizure and epilepsy.

As part of a request for comments on the possibility of the UN designation for cannabidiol (CBD), the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has at long last admitted to the medical benefits of CBD on the Federal Register.

In the notice sent by FDA deputy commissioner on Tuesday (August 15), Anna K. Abram recognized the advantages for patients to use CBD properties in combating diseases. “CBD has been shown to be beneficial in experimental models of several neurological disorders, including those of seizure and epilepsy,” the document indicated.

While CBD and cannabis as a whole remain illegal thanks to the Controlled Substances Act (CSA), the drug has seen advances in the US as a number of states have legalized it in some way and look to embrace a commercial model for the drug.

With Cannabis licenses provided by the individual states, companies can supply cannabis for either medical or recreational use.

The World Health Organization (WHO) is currently reviewing the status of 17 different substances. As part of this investigation, the FDA will collect input from people willing to share their experiences on “abuse potential, actual abuse, medical usefulness, trafficking, and impact of scheduling changes on availability for medical use,” for several drugs including CBD, until Sept. 13.

Based on the comments the US Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) will prepare an evaluation of the drugs and forward the medical and scientific calculation to WHO, through the Secretary of State.

WHO has already made official recommendations to the Commission on Narcotic Drugs, which are expected to be made public in early 2018,” the document said.

Investor Takeaway

This is an extremely encouraging step  forward for cannabis enthusiasts and investors in companies in the field.