Marijuana-based Drugs: Innovative Therapeutics or Designer Drugs of Abuse?

作者：Seely Kathryn A^*; Prather Paul L; James Laura P; Moran Jeffery H

来源：Molecular Interventions, 2011, 11(1): 36-51.

DOI：10.1124/mi.11.1.6

Marijuana has been used recreationally and medicinally for centuries. The principle psychoactive component, Delta(9)-tetrahydrocannabinol (Delta(9)-THC), activates CB1 cannabinoid receptors (CB1Rs). CB1R agonists and antagonists could potentially treat a wide variety of diseases; unfortunately, therapeutic doses produce unacceptable psychiatric effects. "K2" or "Spice" (K2/Spice), an emerging drug of abuse, exhibits psychotropic actions via CB1R activation. Because of structural dissimilarity to Delta(9)-THC, these drugs are widely unregulated and touted as "legal" marijuana. This review summarizes current and future therapeutic uses of CB1R ligands and provides a historical perspective of the K2/Spice "phenomenon" so the reader can decide if marijuana-based drugs will truly provide innovative therapeutics or instead perpetuate drug abuse.

• 出版日期2011-2