Purple Day is the International Epilepsy Awareness Day. People are encouraged to wear purple today, as well as to participate in events to spread awareness. Medical marijuana is effective in treating disease. This was the catalyst that launched modern day cannabis.
60 Minutes did a segment in the past about Charlotte Figi. Charlotte suffered from a rare epileptic disorder called Dravet Syndrome. She used medical marijuana to control her seizures. Sanjay Gupta was featured in the segment and showed the rapid effectiveness of a CBD-rich and low-THC-content strain on the little girl. Her seizures relented almost immediately. Many legislators were influenced by the powerful video to think about medical marijuana.
The Stanley Brothers grew a strain in Colorado that had been initially named Hippie’s Delight because of the low THC. It was later renamed Charlotte’s Web. Colorado is home to many families who have children affected by the illness. The state became the center for creating a regulated cannabis program.
The cannabis industry is booming
Charlotte’s Web
Charlotte’s Web’s (OTC: CWBHF), a company with a highly-respected reputation, saw a lot of success at first with their CBD products. This was because the brand had ties to renowned stories. Massive competition, however, has hurt the business. It recently reported earnings and Charlotte’s Web saw its full-year revenue decline by 21.4% versus 2023. In 2024 the company’s revenue was $49.7m, down from 63.2m in 2023. The company, which harks back to the days of its medical roots, also informed investors that it had reached a milestone regulatory through its investment into DeFloria. This botanical pharmaceutical candidate targeted symptoms of autism spectrum disorders and received FDA approval in February 2025.
DeFloria, which includes Charlotte’s Web, Ajna BioSciences PBC and a botanical drug company to develop AJA001, is a collaborative effort between Charlotte’s Web, Ajna BioSciences PBC. AJA001 will be developed as a therapy for the irritability that comes with autism spectrum disorders. AJA001 is a Charlotte’s Web full-spectrum CBD hemp extract that was derived by one of the company’s patented cultivars. It hopes to develop a plant-based solution that will help more children.
Jazz Pharmaceuticals
GW Pharmaceuticals legitimized the use of medical marijuana through its Epidiolex drug. The FDA has approved this drug for the treatment of rare epilepsy disorders in children, including Dravet Syndrome (also known as Lennox-Gastaut) and Lennox-Gastaut. This is often used as an argument for why cannabis shouldn’t be listed on Schedule 1 of the Controlled Substances Act. Jazz Pharmaceuticals acquired GW Pharmaceuticals ($7.2 billion) in 2021. Jazz reported recently that the net sales of Epidiolex/Epidyolex for 2024 was $972.4 millions, representing 25% of their total product net sales.
Tilray
Tiltay may be better known for its beverage products and its exports to Europe, but the company has a dedicated medical division, Tilray Medical, that focuses on medical cannabis research and development. Tilray’s 2:100 was used as a substitute for Epidiolex by some patients. The price of a single bottle in Canada is C$236. The company has shipped its products all over the world. They have also supported and taken part in clinical studies to determine the efficacy and safety of medical marijuana in treating epilepsy.
Aurora Cannabis
In 2021, Aurora Cannabis Inc. (NASDAQ: ACB) launched Bidiol, the first medical cannabis oil in Uruguay The oil was produced entirely in the United States. Oil is approved by the Ministry of Public Health. Uruguay For the treatment of epilepsy in adolescents and children with refractory seizures.
Zynerba Pharmaceuticals
Zynerba developed Zygel. This CBD-based gel was designed to treat Fragile X Syndrome and neuropsychiatric disorders, such as some seizures. Harmony Biosciences acquired the company and continues to work on its CBD synthetic compound.
Look Ahead
This year two national NHS trials will begin, which focus on safety and efficacy of cannabidiol and tetrahydrocannabinol in children and adults with epilepsy resistant to treatment. The emergence of a new lFinbar O’Callaghan (UCL), Helen Cross (GOSH) are Professors. Epilepsy Action states that these trials are intended to give comprehensive information to the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence regarding cannabinoid therapies.
Jazz Pharmaceuticals informed investors of the start of a Phase III trial evaluating Epidiolex for children and teenagers with Epilepsy and Myoclonic-Atonic Seizures. This double-blind, randomized study is designed to measure the seizure rate associated with EMAS during a 14 week treatment period.
In Australia and New Zealand, a trial is being conducted to investigate the effectiveness of cannabidiol-transdermal gel in treating adults suffering from focal epilepsy. This study is designed to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of the novel CBD delivery system in the treatment of the most common epilepsy in adults that can be difficult to treat.
The American Epilepsy Society announced that a prospective open study conducted in Buenos Aires involved 55 patients who had focal epilepsy resistant to drugs. Over six months, participants were treated with CBD oil purified at a dose of 20 mg/kg/day. The aim of the study is to determine monthly changes in seizure rates.
Cannabis was created to aid children with an inconceivable disease. The cannabis industry would not exist today without their sacrifice.