Children with epilepsy who suffer from frequent seizures might be effectively treated with a chemical derived from cannabis.

Children with epilepsy who suffer from frequent seizures might be effectively treated with a chemical derived from cannabis.

A variety of cannabis known as Charlotte’s Web, bred to be used by underage patients, is grown without the psychoactive chemical THC.

Charlotte’s Web contains cannabidiol, or CBD, which reportedly has anti-epileptic effects on humans.

In a few small clinical trials, CBD did show a reduction of seizures for some subjects with epilepsy.

A new series of trials by researchers at several centers around the country including the University of California, San Francisco, of a drug called Epidiolex containing a purified form of CBD, has begun with groups of 25 children suffering from epilepsy.

Doctor Joseph Sullivan, who is working on the trial said: “Studies have been conducted in healthy adults who have shown CBD to be well tolerated and safe. While we don’t know the full side effect profile in children, this study will allow us to follow the children closely and determine if the side effect profile differs from that in adults.”

The National Epilepsy Foundation also announced their support for continued research into the use of CBD as an anticonvulsant.

The drug is strictly regulated by the FDA and US Drug Enforcement Agency as a schedule 1 substance.