Below are three synthetic prescription medications that the FDA has approved.

Sativex

Sativex

Cannabis-Related Properties:
Mouth spray whose chemical compound is derived from natural extracts of the cannabis plant - Sativex contains two cannabinoids: THC (delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol) and CBD (cannabidiol)

Suggested Medical Use:
Treatment of MS spasticity and previous studies have also suggested benefits in treating arthritis and neuropathic pain.

Nabilone

Nabilone (Cesamet)

Cannabis-Related Properties:
Synthetic cannabinoid similar to THC

Suggested Medical Use:
Treatment of nausea and vomiting in patients undergoing cancer treatment.

Marinol

Marinol

Cannabis-Related Properties:
Synthetic Delta-9 THC.

Suggested Medical Use:
Treatment of nausea and vomiting for patients in cancer treatment; appetite stimulant for AIDS patients; analgesic to ease neuropathic pain in multiple sclerosis patients.

But what about naturally derived or plant based, non-synthetic cannabinoids approved by the FDA? There is only one so far:

Epidiolex

Epidiolex

Epidiolex is the only FDA approved plant derived cannabinoid based medicine. It is cannabidiol or CBD. Before you get too excited, in true big pharma fashion, this product is incredibly expensive at an estimagted cost of $32,500 per year!

Revised 4/15/2020