Epilepsy is one of the most common neurological disorders, affecting millions of people worldwide. Its prevalence, treatment challenges, and social consequences make it a major public health issue. For many families, the search for effective therapies can be exhausting and heartbreaking, particularly when conventional options fail to bring relief. In recent years, cannabis-derived treatments, especially cannabidiol (CBD), have emerged as a source of both scientific interest and personal hope.
This article explores epilepsy in detail — from its global burden to its impact in Florida, the challenges of drug resistance, the growing body of research into cannabis therapies, and the human stories that have redefined how society views this plant.
The Global Burden of Epilepsy
According to the World Health Organization, approximately 50 million people across the globe live with epilepsy, making it one of the most widespread neurological disorders. Each year, around five million new cases are diagnosed. The burden, however, is not evenly distributed. Nearly 80 percent of people with epilepsy live in low- and middle-income countries, where healthcare systems often struggle to provide adequate access to diagnosis and treatment.
This inequity contributes to what is known as the treatment gap, with up to three-quarters of individuals in resource-limited settings unable to obtain appropriate therapy. Such disparities underline the urgent need for global health initiatives to address epilepsy care in underserved regions, where the difference between access and neglect can determine whether seizures are controlled or lives are lost.
Epilepsy in the United States
In the United States, epilepsy affects approximately 3.4 million individuals, including 3 million adults and 470,000 children. Each year, about 150,000 new cases are diagnosed. The lifetime risk of developing epilepsy is striking: about one in 26 Americans will experience the condition during their lives.
Beyond its prevalence, epilepsy carries a significant healthcare burden. It is estimated that the disorder accounts for about one percent of all emergency department visits nationwide. Mortality is also higher in people with epilepsy, who face a two to three times greater risk of premature death compared with the general population. Often, this is linked to accidents, injuries, or sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP), a devastating outcome that underscores the importance of effective seizure control.
Epilepsy in Florida
Epilepsy is also a major neurological condition in Florida, affecting thousands of residents each year. Data from the Florida Department of Health, alongside national estimates, provide a detailed picture of how the disorder impacts both adults and children across the state.
Prevalence in Adults
Among Florida’s adult population, approximately 403,300 individuals, or about 2.2 percent, report having been diagnosed with epilepsy or a seizure disorder. Of this group, only 36 percent — around 146,400 adults — are actively taking medication to manage their seizures. Healthcare coverage is another area of concern. Just 64.5 percent of adults with epilepsy have health insurance, compared with 90.3 percent of adults without the condition. This disparity highlights the challenges many Floridians face in accessing consistent and effective care.
Epilepsy in Florida Children
Although less common in children, epilepsy remains a significant concern. Based on national prevalence estimates applied to Florida’s child population, roughly 43,600 children in the state have been diagnosed with epilepsy at some point, while about 26,200 children are currently living with active epilepsy. This equates to nearly one in every 167 children. The presence of epilepsy in childhood often carries long-term implications, not only for medical care but also for education and family life.
Total Active Cases
When combining both pediatric and adult populations, Florida is home to an estimated 172,600 individuals with active epilepsy. This figure illustrates the widespread impact of the condition across all age groups, with children accounting for about 15 percent of active cases and adults making up the majority.
Healthcare Utilization
The condition also places heavy demands on Florida’s healthcare system. In 2024 alone, there were 31,204 emergency department visits where epilepsy was the principal diagnosis, along with 21,738 hospitalizations attributed primarily to epilepsy. These numbers reflect not only the severity of the disorder but also the urgent, often emergency-based care required by individuals with uncontrolled or prolonged seizures.
Broader Estimates
Some advocacy groups suggest that the true number of Floridians affected by epilepsy may be even higher — possibly exceeding 500,000 individuals. These broader estimates may account for cumulative diagnoses, cases in remission, or wider definitions of seizure-related disorders. Regardless of the exact figure, epilepsy clearly represents a significant public health challenge in the state.
Childhood Epilepsy
Epilepsy is frequently a pediatric condition, with nearly half of all cases beginning in childhood. In the United States, approximately 470,000 children — or about six out of every 1,000 — live with epilepsy. While many children respond well to standard treatments, about one in three experience drug-resistant epilepsy, meaning seizures persist despite the use of multiple medications.
For these families, the condition is particularly devastating. Some children endure hundreds of seizures each week, which not only disrupt development but also pose constant risks to safety and life. The persistence of uncontrolled seizures in childhood highlights the urgent need for innovative therapies, including dietary approaches, surgical interventions, and emerging options like medical cannabis.
Drug Resistance and Treatment Challenges
The so-called “one-third rule” of epilepsy illustrates one of its greatest challenges: about 30 to 40 percent of people with epilepsy do not achieve seizure control with medication. These cases are classified as drug-resistant epilepsy. For such individuals, advanced therapies — including epilepsy surgery, vagus nerve stimulation, or novel pharmacological approaches — may be considered.
Yet, despite the availability of these treatments, only a small proportion of patients are ever referred for specialized evaluation. This gap between medical possibility and patient access remains one of the greatest obstacles in modern epilepsy care.
Searching for Alternative Epilepsy Treatments
Epilepsy is complex, encompassing more than 40 different seizure types and a wide range of causes, from genetics to brain injuries to infections. Because of this diversity, treatment must always be personalized. However, when conventional therapies fail, many families turn to alternative approaches — and in recent years, medical cannabis has emerged as one of the most promising.
Cannabis as medicine is not a new concept, but its role in epilepsy gained global attention after high-profile stories of children whose lives were transformed by CBD-rich oils. Unlike tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), CBD is non-psychoactive, offering potential therapeutic effects without intoxication. Families desperate for solutions began advocating for access to cannabis-based therapies, sparking both scientific inquiry and shifts in public policy.
Cannabis Use in the Treatment of Epilepsy
The potential role of cannabis in epilepsy treatment has drawn immense attention. While the idea of cannabinoids reducing seizures is not new, only in the past decade has rigorous clinical evidence clarified where these therapies may offer real benefit.
Evidence for Cannabidiol (CBD)
The strongest evidence exists for Epidiolex, a purified, plant-derived form of CBD. As the first FDA-approved cannabis-based treatment for epilepsy, Epidiolex is indicated for seizures associated with Dravet syndrome, Lennox-Gastaut syndrome (LGS), and tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC). Randomized controlled trials in each of these syndromes have demonstrated meaningful reductions in seizure frequency compared with placebo.
By contrast, CBD trials in adult focal epilepsy have not shown significant benefits. For example, a transdermal CBD study found no difference from placebo. These results suggest that effectiveness may depend heavily on epilepsy subtype and route of administration.
THC and Other Cannabis Products
The cannabis plant contains many compounds, including THC, its main psychoactive component. While anecdotal accounts suggest seizure relief from THC-containing products, systematic research indicates that THC may sometimes worsen seizures. Because of this, high-THC cannabis is not recommended for epilepsy treatment outside of carefully controlled research settings.
Safety and Drug Interactions
CBD is generally well tolerated but is not without risks. Side effects include drowsiness, reduced appetite, diarrhea, and weight loss. More serious risks include liver toxicity, necessitating regular monitoring. CBD also interacts with medications such as clobazam and valproate, potentially intensifying side effects and requiring careful dose adjustments.
The Problem of Unregulated Products
A major issue in the marketplace is the difference between FDA-approved Epidiolex and over-the-counter CBD oils or extracts sold online or in dispensaries. Many of these unregulated products are mislabeled, inconsistent in potency, and sometimes contaminated with THC or other substances. For patients, such variability makes them unreliable and potentially unsafe.
Cannabis and Epilepsy Research
Ongoing studies continue to explore cannabis in epilepsy treatment. The UK’s National Health Service is launching a randomized controlled trial in 2025 that will test CBD alone, CBD combined with THC, and placebo in about 500 adults and children with treatment-resistant epilepsy. This large-scale study will measure not just seizures but also cognitive and quality-of-life outcomes.
Other promising compounds include cannabidivarin (CBDV), now in Phase 2 trials, and H2CBD, a synthetic analog of CBD that shows anticonvulsant properties in animals. These emerging cannabinoids may eventually expand the therapeutic toolkit.
Indica Versus Sativa: Debunking the Myth
In popular culture, cannabis strains are often described as either indica (sedating) or sativa (energizing). While these labels guide recreational users, they hold little medical value. For epilepsy, what matters is not whether a strain is called indica or sativa, but its cannabinoid composition — particularly the balance of CBD and THC.
Research has not evaluated indica versus sativa as categories. Instead, clinical trials consistently show that CBD, in purified and standardized form, is the only cannabinoid with proven efficacy in epilepsy. Patients should therefore focus on regulated formulations under medical supervision, not strain names.
Routes of Cannabis Administration in Epilepsy Treatment
The way cannabis is administered greatly affects its safety and efficacy.
- Oral CBD: The gold standard, supported by strong evidence. Epidiolex is taken orally, providing controlled dosing and steady absorption.
- Transdermal patches: Tested in focal epilepsy but showed no benefit.
- Smoking or vaping: Delivers cannabinoids quickly but unpredictably, with short-lived effects and potential harm, especially with high THC.
- Emerging routes: Sublingual tinctures and nasal sprays are under study but remain experimental.
For now, oral CBD remains the preferred and proven route.
What Is Epidiolex?
Epidiolex is a purified CBD oral solution approved by the FDA in 2018. Indicated for Dravet, LGS, and TSC, it provides reliable dosing without THC’s psychoactive effects. Clinical trials showed seizure reductions of about 40 percent, making it a validated option for otherwise drug-resistant epilepsy.
Benefits
- Proven effectiveness in severe epilepsies.
- Consistent, regulated formulation.
- Non-psychoactive and FDA-approved.
Drawbacks
- Side effects: fatigue, appetite loss, diarrhea, sleep problems.
- Liver toxicity risk requiring blood monitoring.
- Drug interactions with common anti-seizure medications.
- High cost: averages $32,500 per year, though insurance and assistance programs can reduce expenses.
The Story of Charlotte Figi
The story of Charlotte Figi, a young girl with Dravet syndrome, became a turning point in this movement. By age five, Charlotte was experiencing up to 400 seizures per week and had lost many of her life skills. Her doctors had exhausted all options, and her family had even signed a do-not-resuscitate order. In desperation, her parents tried a specially formulated CBD oil. The results were nothing short of miraculous: Charlotte’s seizures dropped to fewer than one per week, and she was able to stop all pharmaceutical drugs. Her recovery not only gave her a second chance at life but also ignited global interest in CBD as a legitimate treatment for epilepsy.
Charlotte’s story is not an isolated case. Families across the U.S. and beyond have reported dramatic improvements. Children like Zaki Jackson, who once had over 200 seizures a day, became seizure-free after a year on CBD oil. Others, such as Kaylee and Millie, not only saw seizure reductions but also regained lost skills and cognitive abilities, suggesting that CBD may help restore brain function as well as suppress seizures. These recoveries highlight the profound potential of cannabis to transform lives where conventional medicine has failed.
Scientific research has begun to validate these stories. Studies dating back to the 1970s demonstrated that CBD could reduce seizures without toxicity or psychoactive effects. More recent trials, including those conducted by GW Pharmaceuticals, have shown significant seizure reductions in children with treatment-resistant epilepsy, with some achieving seizure freedom. Although large-scale, long-term studies remain scarce, the evidence so far points to CBD as a promising therapy that warrants further investigation.
One of the advantages of CBD therapy is the consistency of delivery methods. Concentrated cannabis oils, tinctures, capsules, and transdermal patches allow for reliable, repeatable dosages without the risks associated with smoking. This consistency is especially important for children, where precision in dosing is crucial. The industry has responded with innovations in delivery systems, making cannabis-based medicine increasingly accessible and medically appropriate.
Still, challenges remain. Much of the current data is anecdotal or derived from small, uncontrolled studies. Research using smoked cannabis has often produced poor results due to inconsistent cannabinoid concentrations and the predominance of THC over CBD. Rigorous clinical trials using standardized CBD preparations are urgently needed to confirm efficacy, understand mechanisms, and ensure safety. Encouragingly, early data show seizure reductions of up to 60% in some groups, results strong enough to justify deeper scientific exploration.
Yet for many families, the largest hurdle is not scientific but legal. In the United States, cannabis remains federally illegal, classified as one of the most dangerous substances. While more than 20 states and the District of Columbia have legalized medical cannabis, the laws vary widely. Some permit only CBD oil, while others allow broader access. Families often relocate to states like Colorado to obtain treatment, uprooting their lives at tremendous personal cost. Those who cannot move are left to watch their children suffer—or worse, die—because the treatment remains out of reach.
These stories underscore the human cost of restrictive policies. For families like the Figis, cannabis was not an experiment but a lifeline. For others, outdated laws have meant tragedy, as children passed away before they could access treatment. Advocates argue that medical cannabis is not a matter of politics but of compassion and science. They call for laws that recognize the life-saving potential of CBD and ensure equal access for all families, regardless of geography.
The promise of cannabis in treating epilepsy represents a critical intersection of medicine, law, and humanity. The recovery of children like Charlotte and Zaki demonstrates that CBD is not simply a theoretical treatment but a practical and powerful one. While science continues to evolve, the evidence is already strong enough to demand change. Lives hang in the balance, and the question is no longer whether cannabis has medical value but whether society is willing to act quickly enough to save those who need it most.
Florida’s Journey to Cannabis Approval
In Florida, access to cannabis-based treatments evolved through a two-step process. In 2014, Governor Rick Scott signed Senate Bill 1030, allowing low-THC cannabis oil for conditions such as epilepsy. In 2016, voters approved Amendment 2, expanding legalization to full-strength medical marijuana for a wider range of illnesses. By 2017, the program was fully implemented, creating a path for patients with epilepsy to access cannabis therapies legally.
Accessing Treatment in Tampa, Florida
Today, Tampa residents seeking medical cannabis for epilepsy can turn to networks like DocMJ, which connects patients with certified physicians. At these clinics, patients undergo an evaluation to determine if they qualify for a Florida medical marijuana card. Approved individuals are entered into the Medical Marijuana Use Registry and can complete their application through the Department of Health. Once issued, the card allows legal access to cannabis from licensed dispensaries, along with ongoing medical guidance to ensure safe and effective use.
Conclusion
Epilepsy affects millions globally and thousands in Florida alone, often leaving families desperate for solutions when conventional medications fail. Cannabis, particularly CBD, has emerged as a scientifically validated treatment for certain severe epilepsies, offering real hope where little once existed. From Charlotte Figi’s story to FDA approval of Epidiolex and Florida’s legalization milestones, cannabis is no longer a fringe option but a meaningful part of epilepsy care.
Challenges remain — from cost and access barriers to the risks of unregulated products — but research continues to expand, and patients now have more options than ever before. For families facing the daily reality of seizures, cannabis represents not just an alternative but a lifeline.
Get Help With DocMJ
If you or a loved one is living with epilepsy and want to explore whether medical marijuana could be a safe and effective option, DocMJ is here to help. Our team of compassionate, licensed physicians provides personalized evaluations and ongoing support to guide you through every step of the process. Don’t wait to take control of your health—schedule your risk-free appointment today and discover how medical cannabis may improve your quality of life.
Aaron Bloom, an experienced healthcare attorney, serves as the CEO of DocMJ and Medwell Health and Wellness Centers, where he has overseen the organizations’ mission and growth since 2016. In addition to his leadership roles, Aaron serves on the Board of Directors for Waterfall Bank, bringing his expertise in healthcare, compliance, and strategic growth to the financial services sector.
Aaron’s passion for improving patients’ lives stems from more than 20 years of owning, operating, and representing traditional healthcare organizations. Throughout his career, he has remained committed to finding better ways to relieve suffering and expand access to innovative, patient-centered care. As CEO, Aaron works each day to help patients achieve better health and wellness through the therapeutic benefits of medical cannabis and other evidence-based alternative medicines.