The University of Saskatchewan is launching a study to test the effectiveness of cannabis on children with epilepsy.
The Pediatrics Department will be conducting the study, which aims to see if a high concentration of Cannabidiol (CBD) can be used safely in children with epilepsy and if it will impact seizures and quality of life.
Thirty children between the ages of one and 10-years-old from across Canada will participate in the study.
“Many of these children have adverse reactions to any of the treatments that we offer and they suffer significant side effects from them,” Dr. Richard Huntsman, a pediatric neurologist at the U of S said in a media release. “I believe we owe it to these children and their families to look at all potential treatment options, including cannabis-based products, if they can offer any hope of helping.”
The study is being paid for entirely with support from the Children’s Hospital Foundation of Saskatchewan, the Durwood Seafoot Estate, the Saskatchewan Health Research Foundation and the Savoy Foundation.
The team hopes to begin recruiting patients within the next two months.
