A powerful drug derived from marijuana is on the cusp of federal approval

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• An experimental cannabis-derived drug faces a key vote on Thursday, when a group of scientists convened by the Food and Drug Administration will decide on its safety and effectiveness.
• The vote will play a key role in the FDA's final approval decision, which is scheduled for June.
• The drug, called Epidiolex, is made by GW Pharmaceuticals and is designed to treat two rare forms of epilepsy.

An experimental drug derived from cannabis to treat epilepsy is on the brink of becoming the first of its kind to win US government approval.

On Thursday, a panel of outside experts convened by the Food and Drug Administration will vote on the drug's safety and effectiveness. Their recommendation will play a key role in the FDA's approval decision for the drug, which is made by GW Pharmaceuticals.See the rest of the story at Business Insider

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