December 2, 1993

Dear Mr. Olsen:

     This replies to your July 21, 1993, letter concerning synthetic dronabinol (delta-9-THC).

     In respect to the naturally extracted and synthetically manufactured dronabinol, the Drug Enforcement Agency has promulgated the enclosed regulation.  Please note that tetrahydrocannabinol is a Schedule I substance, but dronabinol, synthetic, in sesame oil and in a soft gelatin capsule, is a U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved drug product and is a Schedule II substance.  Both marijuana and tetrahydrocannabinol are Schedule I substances.

     With respect to your other questions on marijuana, the original chemical researcher was Dr. Roger Adams of the University of Illinois chemistry department.  The pharmacology of the compounds was investigated by Dr. Seigried Lowe of the University of Utah.  A review of marijuana is given on page 549-553 of Goodman and Gilman's The Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics, 8th Edition, Pergamon Press, 1990.

     Sincerely yours,

     Harold Davis
     Consumer Safety Officer
     CDER Executive Secretariat Staff (HFD-8)
     Center for Drug Evaluation and Research
     Food and Drug Administration
     5600 Fishers Lane
     Rockville, Maryland