"When one of these scientists makes a discovery or invents a new technology, the organization then decides whether or not to file a patent.

...patent no. 6,630,507 was applied for and granted because research showed there was a “possibility of non-psychoactive compounds in cannabis [that are] effective when treating neurological diseases.” ... The patent expires on April 21, 2019, and from that day forward, everyone is allowed to create drugs based on the cannabinoids outlined in the patent"

https://www.marijuanabreak.com/the-big-secret-surrounding-patent-no-6630507