This Month in Psychopharmacology

DEA Reschedules the Cannabidiol Drug Epidiolex

The Department of Justice and Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) announced that Epidiolex, the newly approved medication by the Food & Drug Administration (FDA), is being placed in schedule V of the Controlled Substances Act (CSA). A schedule V controlled substance is the lowest level, defined as those with a proven medical use and low potential for abuse. Epidolex is a plant-based cannabidiol formulation for the adjunct treatment of seizures associated with two severe forms of epilepsy, Lennox-Gastaut syndrome (LGS) and Dravet syndrome, in patients 2 years of age and older.

Certain drugs, substances, and chemicals used to make drugs are classified into five distinct categories or schedules depending upon the drug’s acceptable medical use and the drug’s abuse or dependency potential. The abuse rate is a determinate factor in the scheduling of the drug.

DEA Drug Scheduling

>> Press Release

>> DEA Drug Scheduling



To learn more about cannabidiol, NEI Member can access:


FDA Approves First Cannabis-Derived Medication
Animation:
Cannabis and the Developing Brain, Part 1: The Endocannabinoid System
Animation:
Cannabis and the Developing Brain, Part 2: Consequences of Heavy Use
Encore Presentation:
Marijuana: Substance of Abuse or Therapeutic Option?