If it works, why can’t doctors prescribe cannabis?

This episode of USA Today's The Excerpt explores the paradox of cannabis: a substance with centuries of medical use that remains classified as a Schedule I drug in the U.S., despite growing evidence of its therapeutic value. Dr. Stacey Gruber, a leading expert in cannabis neuroscience, explains how cannabis was once a legal prescription medication in the 19th century before being criminalized in 1970. She highlights the pivotal role of Charlotte Figge, a child with a rare, severe epilepsy, whose dramatic improvement on CBD-rich cannabis sparked a national movement and led to the FDA approval of Epidiolex. Dr. Gruber discusses her MIND program at McLean Hospital, which conducts longitudinal studies on medical cannabis use, emphasizing the importance of personalized treatment, product formulation (whole plant vs. isolate), and the need for rigorous clinical trials. The episode underscores the critical distinction between recreational and medical use, challenges the myth that all cannabis causes intoxication, and advocates for evidence-based, patient-centered approaches to cannabinoid therapies.