Why is the pharmaceutical industry fighting against medical cannabis, when it could be profiting from it instead?

PFC Al Sethre — Tue, 10 May 2016 14:50:52 -0400

It reminds me of when the record industry fought against MP3's for many years before they realized they would make more money embracing it rather than fighting it. Industry evolution.

Response by 1stSgt Private RallyPoint Member made May 10 at 2016 2:56 PM

1stSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 10 May 2016 14:56:08 -0400

I think it is slightly more complicated than the record industry. We are still waiting for the final outcomes in Colorado. From what I have read, it may help some but can be self destructive to others. Pretty big margin in my mind.

Response by PO3 Steven Sherrill made May 10 at 2016 3:13 PM

PO3 Steven Sherrill — Tue, 10 May 2016 15:13:46 -0400

Profit Margins. Ease of growth. Keep it a controlled substance, and they can control access, thus control price. Come out and admit that it can ease the symptoms, and you are left with the public knowing that something they can grow in their back yard with a minimal footprint can ease their ailments, and they will grow it themselves. Now the pharmaceutical companies have lost control. Further pharmaceutical companies are not in the business of curing disease. A cured patient is not a repeat customer. The pharmaceutical companies are in the business of creating customers by treating symptoms rather than curing ailments.There are exceptions to the rule, but they are few and far between. You cannot really ask a corrupt self governing system to police itself and champion the underdog.

Response by SPC David S. made May 10 at 2016 3:16 PM

SPC David S. — Tue, 10 May 2016 15:16:00 -0400

The FDA has approved Marinol for therapeutic uses in the United States, including for the treatment of anorexia associated with weight loss in AIDS patients. Marinol includes the active ingredient dronabinol, a synthetic delta-9- tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) which is considered the psychoactive component of marijuana. Another FDA-approved drug, Cesamet, contains the active ingredient nabilone, which has a chemical structure similar to THC and is synthetically derived. As well marijuana possession remains a federal offense, and the federal law applies to offenses committed on federal property. Thus why the synthetic approach by the FDA - to stay within federal laws.

Response by LTC Paul Labrador made May 10 at 2016 3:22 PM

LTC Paul Labrador — Tue, 10 May 2016 15:22:17 -0400

THC, the active ingredient in cannabis, has been on the pharmaceutical market for years. Look up trade names like Marinol or for other cannaboids, so the basic premise of your question is already false. The issue is that the legitimate medical usage for these drugs have been rather limited. They have been pretty much only been used for appetite stimulants in folks suffering from conditions that kill appetite. While they do have other properties (analgesia, anti-emetics, etc), there are other drugs that do those functions better. Medical marijuana, IMHO, has been mostly a sham. While some folks do use it legitimately, they could easily get prescriptions for pharmaceutical THC. Medical marijuana has essentially been an abused loophole for recreational use.

Response by SSG Warren Swan made May 10 at 2016 3:28 PM

SSG Warren Swan — Tue, 10 May 2016 15:28:56 -0400

They wouldn't profit off it at all. If it becomes legalized, they'd fight in court to make it so they would have control over it, but that would be shot down. They'd claim that the weed they make is so strong and the research dollars they used required a severe rise in the cost to buy weed. They'd say there is no way to prove that the weed you're getting is the weed that you wanted (as if they know any better). With local growers able to grow at will and sell in shops, they make the profit, and the state makes a load in taxes. Then you have places like DC where in some homes, they are renovating them with a special room to grow your weed in. DC has legalized a small amount for "personal" use, and again there would be no way for Big Pharma to bring it to where they control it. So the best thing for them is to fight for it to be illegal and keep it from the masses.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made May 10 at 2016 4:39 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 10 May 2016 16:39:11 -0400

Kings usually don't like to share their kingdoms.

Response by CPL Ricky Vasquez made May 10 at 2016 9:43 PM

CPL Ricky Vasquez — Tue, 10 May 2016 21:43:35 -0400

the feds...

Response by SSG Gerhard S. made May 10 at 2016 11:04 PM

SSG Gerhard S. — Tue, 10 May 2016 23:04:29 -0400

Many of the arguments I'm seeing here are about pharmaceutical companies, and about medical uses, and about whether Marijuana is effective, or not. The real argument is why should the government be lording over us all, and telling us what we, as ADULT individuals can, and can't do to our own bodies, in the privacy of our own homes. After that, it is the responsibility of the user, just as is the case with alcohol to bear the consequences or damages of any actions beyond that. If one wants to make the argument that "it's used in medicine" then one can make the same argument for Cocaine, and Heroine (opiates). The argument really, is to ask why so many, are so willing to allow the Federal government to make those decisions for us, and to prosecute a violent, deadly, costly, and destructive drug war as the result of THEIR prohibition on these substances? The medical use arguments are just fringe arguments, but there are valid arguments that medicinal-izing marijuana, or cocaine, or heroine DOES give the government control.... though legalization does so, and just as well, as evidenced by the legal and regulated nature of alcohol products.
Regards all.... Great points, all politely, and cogently argued!

Response by PO1 Tony Holland made May 11 at 2016 12:41 AM

PO1 Tony Holland — Wed, 11 May 2016 00:41:43 -0400

Because they haven't bought off enough compliant Congress critters yet to give them a monopoly.

Response by PV2 Violet Case made May 11 at 2016 5:54 AM

PV2 Violet Case — Wed, 11 May 2016 05:54:42 -0400

Because one of the biggest corporations has control of the pharmacy markets. And sad but true they poisoned many of us veterans with their poisons. They want the bigger dollars to hoard for themselves and pump unnatural things in our bodies. Its all about the money for the corporation. And cannibus is something that will not cause you to take another medication because you are taking this medication. Ex: my anti-flamitory meds cause upset stomach so need stomach pill. The pain meds cause constipation so need meds for that. For Cannibus you don't have to take as many pills. I tried it once in a state that was legal and felt I could probably go off 3 of my meds with it and I could concentrate better and was more relaxed and not as hyper. But when I talked to my doctor here he said if I went anywhere else like the VA or anywhere he would not treat me here anymore and I am 4 and 1/2 hrs from VA hospitals.