It has been reported that the British government is growing cannabis plants in huge industrial-sized greenhouses with the hope of producing a new treatment for epilepsy, owing to the discovery of certain compounds in the plant by scientists which can reduce and control seizures related to epilepsy. Using tests in animals, they have been able to detect how effective the compounds preventing the seizure are and when compared to other epilepsy drugs, it's said to have fewer side effects.

However, the cannabis plant, owing to its recreational use in the 60s and 70s, it has not been view as a healing plant by people according to reports.

Epilepsy is caused by a sudden bursts of electrical activity in the brain, that disrupts the normal way in which messages are being transmitted, which can lead to debilitating seizures and fits where sufferers injure themselves during the seizure, in Britain alone, it has been reported to be suffered by 500,000 people.

Although, the cannabis plant is used to treat multiple sclerosis and for pain relief in cancer patients, two compounds from the plant called cannabidiol and GWP42006, have been used to control seizures in animals effectively and the researchers intend to start testing these compounds in humans in the next 3-years. In addition the characteristics “high” related to the cannabis plant is not produced by either of the compounds.