Even with the approval of several anti-seizure medications, up to 30% of those affected may not respond and can continue to have active seizures. These can be devastating, especially in kids. Patients on anti-seizure medications must often deal with the significant side effects from these medications, which include hallucinations, depression, and drowsiness.

Cannabis has been used medicinally for millennia and was used in the treatment of epilepsy as early as 1800 B.C.E. in Sumeria. The use of cannabis therapy for the treatment of epilepsy diminished with the introduction of phenobarbital (1912) and phenytoin (1937) and the passage of the Marijuana Tax Act (1937).

However, recently the FDA has approved the first drug whose active ingredient is derived from the marijuana plant. Now with both medical and adult-use marijuana available in several states, patients now have a natural alternative to treat their disease. Be sure to talk with your physician to see if medical cannabis is right for you.