The World Health Organisation has announced its findings after a months-long study into cannabidiol, or CBD, declaring the medicinal cannabis component to be well tolerated and an effective treatment for some forms of epilepsy. The WHO also recommended CBD not be a scheduled drug.
According to the report, the non-psychoactive component of cannabis does not exhibit any effects indicative of abuse or dependence. Adverse side effects were put down to drug-drug interactions between CBD and a patient’s existing medications.
“In general, clinical studies have reported that even high doses of oral CBD do not cause those effects that are characteristic for THC and for cannabis rich in THC,” said the report.
“CBD has been found to have relatively low toxicity, although not all potential effects have been explored.”
