British Pharma Company Seeks FDA Approval for Marijuana Drug

British Pharma Company Seeks FDA Approval for Marijuana Drug

Brand X Pictures/Thinkstock(LONDON) -- A British pharmaceutical wants the F.D.A. to approve the world's first "prescription" drug developed from key ingredients of marijuana.

It would be a medical milestone that would give some legitimacy to a plant that's caused so much controversy in this country. GW Pharmaceuticals of Britain has developed a mouth spray called "Sativex", that contains marijuana's two best known psychoactive ingredients, Delta-9 T-H-C and cannabinoids. The drug has already been approved in Canada, New Zealand, and eight European countries for relieving muscle spasms in patients with multiple sclerosis. 

The drug company is in advanced trials to get the spray approved in the U.S. as treatment for severe cancer pain.

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