The use of cannabidiol in epilepsy: therapeutic and legal advances

Epilepsy was defined as a chronic neurological condition characterised by spontaneous and repeated epileptic seizures. Its diagnosis was based on criteria established by the International League Against Epilepsy (ILAE), such as the occurrence of multiple unprovoked seizures or the identification of an epileptic syndrome. The classification of epilepsy allowed treatments to be individualised according to the type of seizure, although a significant percentage of patients presented refractory epilepsy, with no adequate response to conventional medication. Over recent decades, interest in new therapies has increased, including cannabidiol (CBD), a non-psychoactive compound from the Cannabis sativa plant. Preclinical and clinical research has demonstrated its anticonvulsant and neuroprotective potential and its role as a modulator of the endocannabinoid system, especially in severe epileptic syndromes such as Lennox-Gastaut and Dravet. CBD acted without directly binding to the classic receptors of the endocannabinoid system, which broadened its therapeutic potential in other conditions, such as anxiety, chronic pain, inflammatory and neurodegenerative diseases. In Argentina, legal progress was made in the medicinal use of cannabis. Law 27.350 and Decree 883/2020 allowed regulated access to CBD, including self-cultivation for therapeutic purposes. In 2022, Law 27.669 promoted the industrial development of medicinal cannabis, with the creation of the ARICCAME agency. Despite this progress, it was still considered essential to continue researching in order to understand the mechanisms of CBD, define its safe doses and evaluate its long-term effectiveness.