Pharmaceutical Industry Giving Attention to Cannabis 'Cousin'

Ned Milenkovich, PharmD, JD, is chairman of the health care law practice at Much Shelist PC in Chicago, and former vice chairman of the Illinois State Board of Pharmacy. In this video, he discusses hemp, and why it is drawing increased attention from the pharmacuetical industry.

Ned Milenkovich: There’s been much talk cannabis, and the legalization of medical marijuana, and in some cases, recreational marijuana, which is becoming more prevalent across the states. Few people, however, know that there is a distinguishable product available on the marketplace, which has less than 0.3% THC in it. It’s the cousin of the better-known marijuana, and it’s called ‘hemp.’

Hemp is used in a variety of products in our society. You can make just about anything out of hemp. Most recently, however though, there has been a movement of sales of hemp, which, again, contains less than 0.3% THC.

It also may have medical benefits, although the FDA hasn’t approved it as such. So, it is available as a medical food in those states that have agreed to allow the sale of that, and many pharmacies are beginning to sell that in the United States.