Marijuana was listed as a Schedule 1 drug in 1970. At the time it was considered to have no medicinal purpose; as the discovery of the first cannabinoid receptor wouldn’t occur until the 1980’s. Due to governmental suppression of illicit marijuana use, research into its medicinal use was discontinued.  Recent debates over legalizing marijuana coupled with new understanding of the cannabinoid receptor system in the human body has renewed investigation into the development of pharmaceutical therapeutic alternatives. The alternatives include receptor-based drugs, inhibitors of enzymes that break down endogenous cannabinoids, and synthetic compounds that can modulate how cannabinoids bind to their receptors. Ideally, alternatives should have improved efficacy, potency, duration of action, safety, and the beneficial properties of marijuana, but without the harmful side effects. Continue reading →