Researchers have found that a detailed study is needed to find if certain marijuana could treat severe epilepsy. On Monday, the researchers said they conducted a small safety study which suggested that the extract cannabidiol should be studied.

The new study will enroll a number of patients earlier this month. Dr. Orrin Devinsky, lead researcher, said the study will compare a highly purified version named Epidiolex with a dummy drug. Devinsky will provide detail about the safety study next week at an American Academy of Neurology meeting.

Devinsky who directs New York University Langone Comprehensive Epilepsy Center, said, "There is a dire need for better epilepsy medications. We may start to get some answers within a year".

Cannabidiol has been considered as a potential therapy for epilepsy, which is a chronic disorder, the hallmark of which is recurrent, unprovoked seizures. Currently, two drug companies have been studying whether cannabidiol could treat epilepsy. According to some doctors, there is not enough evidence to prove that the compound is safe and effective.

According to reports, in last few years, a number of families that are desperate to treat their members' intractable seizures moved to US states like Colorado, which allows medical use of marijuana. As per the National Conference of State Legislatures, about 23 states have marijuana programs, while more than 10 states have more recently passed legislation that allows limited access to some cannabidiol-containing products.

Earlier, the neurology academy released a study of Epidiolex, which was funded by maker GW Pharmaceuticals. During the study Devinsky and other checked families' seizure logs for more than 130 patients who consumed the drug for about three months.

According to Devinsky, there was a median reduction in total reported seizures of about 54%, which means that half did better and half worse.