Cannabis, Pain Modulation and Big Pharma

Cannabis sativa is more popularly known as marijuana and has been a subject of some controversy. It is widely used as an illicit substance, yet also has a long history of use as a medicinal compound all over the world. Over the past few decades, the scientific basis of the active effects has been established; like other drugs, its action is due to interaction with cell membrane receptors (known as CB1 and CB2 in the scientific literature). The story of the discovery of these receptors is somewhat similar to the discovery of the human opiate receptors (which are involved in the pain-relieving and addictive effects of morphine, heroin, and all the legal opiate derivatives). The internal, naturally occuring compund that stimulates the CB1/CB2 receptors has also been identified and has been named anandamide.

One central medical use of cannabis is in pain relief. Unlike the opiates (which are foar more powerful in this regard), cannabis demonstrates a lack of physical addiction, which is the central problem with the opiate compounds. Despite decades of research aimed at developing a non-addictive opiate compound, the addictive nature of opiates has been impossible to eliminate. Legal prescription opiate compounds are all addictive. Cannabis, however, while being a milder analgesic, is not habit forming in the way that opiates are. If a habitual cannabis user stops use, physical withdrawal symptoms are not observed.

So, why hasn't cannabis become a legally available prescription compound, available at drugstores across the country? Pharmaceutical companies are not interested in cannabis because it is not patentable - it is a naturally occurring herb which does not need to be chemically modified (unlike the recent pain medication, Vioxx, which was eventually withdrawn from the market due to severe side effects). In fact, legaliation of cannabis would certainly cut heavily into Big Pharma's bottom line as people switched away from dangerous patented pain medications to this naturally occurring herbal medication.

In examining this issue, we really see the extent of the propaganda culture which has developed in this country. The main resistance to cannabis legalization appears to be social in nature; the powers that be don't like the 'culture' associated with cannabis use. This is not a sound scientific rationale. The fact of the matter is that marijuana is a safe herbal remedy, and while people can certainly smoke to much of this, to the detriment of their short-term memory, responsible use is far less dangerous then drinking alcohol or smoking tobacco. In addition, the medical benefits include pain suppression and appetite stimulation - a great benefit for cancer chemotherapy patients, HIV patients and many others.

We really see that Big Pharma has had an undue influence on medical therapy in this country; this is to be expected since they rely on patented products sold at exorbitant rates to a uninformed public. If you want to read more on this topic, I highly recommend the book, Generation RX by Greg Critser. Also try your local bookseller.