[–] Shitting_roses 1 point 2 points 3 points (+3|-1) ago
Hello... Do you think marijuana legalization/medical use will entice pharmaceutical company's to create better and less harmful painkillers? Or is it more likely they will try to undermine and destroy the availability and strains in an attempt to keep their products as the go to method for pain management?
[–] Whatisvlad [S] 0 points 1 point 1 point (+1|-0) ago
Ah, this is actually a very interesting question - thanks!
I think this is a multifaceted issue so I'll do my best.
Firstly the use of cannabinoid substances as an alternative to opiate or NSAID painkillers holds great promise as our central nervous system is largely endocannabinoid based so the many cannabinoid substances doubtless hold new and exciting pain relief mechanisms and ultimately pharmaceutical companies want drugs that will sell. Cannabinoid based pain relief could offer an alternative to people who have issues with opiate / NSAID painkillers (dependence, tolerance and allergy issues). So patented chemicals for pain relief from cannabis related substances seems inevitable and in my mind beneficial to humanity in general as these substances may not be present in cannabis natively and the role of pharmaceutical companies in researching, isolating and testing these substances is critical.
Secondly, I think that the patenting of specific strains of c. Sativa and c. Indica is inevitable but this will likely be pergormed by companies already moving in this direction (seed production companies etc) and less by pharmaceutical companies. Patenting of specific genetic traits seems likely and trademarking of brand names equally inevitable.
Thanks for your question :)
[–] Shitting_roses 0 points 2 points 2 points (+2|-0) ago (edited ago)
I agree with you on companies moving towards pursuing patents but I disagree (if I understood correctly) that they can bring it to market. From what I understand painkillers are a massive part of a pharmaceutical companies profit line. Cannabanoids can be grown by individuals and obtained through selective breeding which is not to difficult for individuals to do. I believe the market itself is going to have a price cap on what can be charged for the simple fact that individuals could always choose to grow their own.
I suspect they will lobby for laws to prevent people from having the right to grow their own plants but I think that will go over as well as prohibition. Speaking from personal experience marijuana is a much better pain management alternative without the nasty side effects of opiads.
I think the pharmaceutical companies made a huge mistake in not pushing for medical use laws from the start. It was left to the populace and they pushed for a complete legalization which is moving forward. Hard to put the cat back in the bag.
[–] bobroland 0 points 1 point 1 point (+1|-0) ago
Looking forward to you dropping some knowledge bombs on us!
[–] Whatisvlad [S] 0 points 1 point 1 point (+1|-0) ago
Hope I can provide some insight :)