The company says it will be able to price its gum cheaper than a major competitor after securing a “significant” discount on cannabis made available by the Dutch government, which has a policy of promoting the drug for medicinal use.

To be sure, AXIM has a long way to go before its Medchew Rx gum – still in the pre-clinical stage of development – will be a viable alternative to an under-the-tongue spray developed by GW Pharmaceuticals Plc.

That spray, called Sativex, is already approved in 27 countries – though not the United States, where cannabis remains prohibited under federal law. [Read More Reuters]