Medical Cannabis and Epilepsy: The Evidence

Epilepsy is a serious neurological condition that can affect individuals of all ages. Treatment is far from perfect, and roughly 30% of patients can experience seizures that are resistant to antiseizure medications. Interestingly, the cannabis plant, specifically the phytocannabinoids, cannabidiol and delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, has been shown to possess anticonvulsant properties and are effective in the treatment of seizures. The clinical evidence base for cannabis for epileptic conditions has been growing in the last few decades with studies aiming to establish the clinical efficacy and safety profile of the plant. Despite the advancements that are being made, clinicians and medical regulatory bodies are still reluctant for epilepsy patients to use cannabis. Thus, it is essential that individuals are educated about the therapeutic properties of cannabis and the clinical evidence base to help patients gain access to cannabis medicines.