Several major drug companies have expanded into the cannabis space in recent years via partnerships, internal research or major acquisitions. Related Link: The Evolution Of Social Drinking: Beverage Companies Dip Their Toes Into Cannabis Epidiolex Makes History: The most widely-known example of cannabis success in the pharma industry is GW Pharmaceuticals. GW made history back in 2018 when its seizure drug Epidiolex became the first cannabis-derived drug ever approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.