Insys Therapeutics files Citizen Petition to re-schedule CBD

US specialty pharma firm Insys Therapeutic (Nasdaq: INSY) has filed a Citizen Petition with the US Drug Enforcement Administration to request the agency reschedule its synthetic pharmaceutical cannabidiol (CBD) from Schedule I to Schedule IV.

The company believes that the current classification of synthetic CBD as a Schedule I compound is a significant barrier to the progress of research studies that explore the value of this compound in the treatment of several serious medical conditions.

“CBD is a non-psychoactive compound found in the marijuana plant that offers the potential to provide a treatment option to patients suffering from a wide variety of diseases,” said Steve Sherman, vice president, regulatory affairs, at Insys, adding: “Importantly, Insys’ synthetic pharmaceutical CBD is a form of the compound that is identical in chemical structure to naturally-occurring CBD, but because it is not derived from marijuana, it is free of THC and other cannabinoid impurities, ensuring a consistent and controlled dosage with little or no potential for abuse.”