Author: Paul RonsPaul Rons
Date: Jul 13, 2008 13:08
Big Pharma Is in a Frenzy to Bring Cannabis-Based Medicines to Market
By Paul Armentano, AlterNet. Posted July 5, 2008.
While the American Medical Association claims pot has no medical value, Big
Pharma is busy getting patents for marijuana products.
The US government's longstanding denial of medical marijuana research and
use is an irrational and morally bankrupt public policy. On this point, few
Americans disagree. As for the question of "why" federal officials maintain
this inflexible and inhumane policy, well that's another story
One of the more popular theories seeking to explain the Feds' seemingly
inexplicable ban on medical pot goes like this: Neither the US government
nor the pharmaceutical industry will allow for the use of medical marijuana
because they can't patent it or profit from it.
It's an appealing theory, yet I've found it to be neither accurate nor
persuasive. Here's why.
First, let me state the obvious. Big Pharma is busily applying for -- and
has already received -- multiple patents for the medical properties of pot.
These include patents for synthetic pot derivatives...
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