The Significance of US Govt Cannabinoid Patent 6,630,507
When I was at the Patients Out of Time Medical Cannabis conference in Asilomar this last April, I overheard a remark that startled me: "The US Government has a patent on cannabis." I couldn't locate the person who made the comment, so I went home and did some online research. Sure enough, patent number 6,630,507 states unequivocally that cannabinoids are useful in the prevention and treatment of a wide variety of diseases including auto-immune disorders, stroke, trauma, Parkinson's, Alzeheimer's and HIV dementia. The patent, awarded in 2003, is based on research done by the National Institute of Health, and is assigned to the US Dept. of Health and Human Services.
So, why is this important?
Here is a legal document, in the public domain, which flies in the face of the US Government's stated position with regard to the classification of cannabis as a Schedule I substance having no "currently accepted medical use". Believe me, citing this patent stops the "medical marijuana is a myth" advocates dead in their tracks. They simply cannot argue with it.
The forces that would keep cannabis illegal are vocal and well funded, but they are not impervious to persistent effort. The lynch pin in the War on Drugs is cannabis. Without the suppression and interdiction of this popular and widely used substance, there simply would not be enough "illegal drug use" going on to justify the huge amount of money and resources spent on "fighting drugs."
I believe disseminating information about this patent as widely as possible, and to as many people as possible is a crucial strategy in loosening that lynch pin, and changing public perception about cannabis. I, personally, downloaded the first page of this patent and sent a copy (with the assignee highlighted) to every one of my elected representatives. I have also included information about it in "letters to the editor" referencing any cannabis related news story I come across, I use it as an argument in every State medical cannabis and decriminalization initiative, and have mentioned it in all my comments to online posts and blogs of the same nature. I would be delighted if everyone who believes the War on Drugs is a failed and destructive policy, would do the same, until the existence of this irrefutable patent becomes widely held public knowledge, and government 's rhetoric is shown to be as hollow as a busted drum.
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redditCode corrected
Comment posted by Brinna on Thu, 07/24/2008 - 2:43amLooks like part of the link got stripped. I've corrected it. Thanks for the heads up.
And we are suprised how?
Comment posted by Anonymous on Thu, 07/24/2008 - 1:49pmHow in the world can we be surprised by any underhanded tactic GWB and company use? This "war criminal" and the ones before him have had a great time controlling the "coloreds", within the war on drugs. Before you puu-puu this idea, let me tell you I live in Arkansas USA, known as the bible belt. I have never heard the language I hear every day. Its like the natives here are living 100 years ago. The "N word" is very popular, also they don't like them "damn mexicans" very much. In their collective little minds, the best thing to do is lock em up forever. (their words not mine) They still believe in the government as long as it agrees with their ignorance. So as our forefathers dreamed that an educated population would make great choices, an ignorant population will follow a snake oil salesman to insanity and death. My question is, if you give a crap about your kids, why are you letting the "officials" give control of dope to the outlaws? And we are suprised how?
J.D. Lape' south Arkansas USA
And Cannabis is still in Schedule I ??
Comment posted by Anonymous on Tue, 07/29/2008 - 12:26amhttp://www.patentstorm.us/patents/6630507.html
"Abstract:
Cannabinoids have been found to have antioxidant properties, unrelated to NMDA receptor antagonism. This new found property makes cannabinoids useful in the treatment and prophylaxis of wide variety of oxidation associated diseases, such as ischemic, age-related, inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. The cannabinoids are found to have particular application as neuroprotectants, for example in limiting neurological damage following ischemic insults, such as stroke and trauma, or in the
treatment of neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease and HIV dementia. ..."
What Rev. Wright said...
-Richard Paul Steeb
San Jose, California
(glaucoma)
Link to the actual USPTO
Comment posted by Anonymous on Tue, 07/29/2008 - 6:50pmLink to the actual USPTO database: http://tinyurl.com/5598vx
Gov't Holds Patent On Bullshit & Lying Too!
Comment posted by Anonymous on Fri, 08/01/2008 - 4:47pmMost folks are aware that the U.S. Government continues to maintain the old drug war refrain that marijuana has no accepted medical value... yet the same U.S. Governmet holds the patent for... are you ready for this... "Cannabinoids as antioxidants and neuroprotectants".
That's right kiddies, your government currently holds U.S. Patent # 6,630,507 claiming: "Cannabinoids have been found to have antioxidant properties... cannabinoids are found to have particular applications as neuroprotectants... limiting neurological damage following... stroke and trauma... or in treatment of neurodegenerative diseases... such as Alzheimer's... Parkinson's... and HIV dementia"
.
Please, someone tell me how a gov't that kills or incarcerates those that dare to disagree while claiming one thing while positioning itself to profit from the exact opposite can be legal or moral... even in this scoundrel ridden christian nation.
The government patent should be struck down as an illegally acquired property/intellectual right. The medical efficacy of Cannabis has been known by respected medical professionals for decades... literally centuries. Yet the u.s. government continues to prohibit, under the guise of regulation, the scientific study of the cannabis plant while obtaining the patent for cannabinoids.
It's not the THC that scares the crap out of uncle scam... it's the BSBs... the 'Bullshit Blockers'!
Billy B. Blunt
Tacoma, WA
403 Forbidden...
Comment posted by Anonymous on Wed, 07/23/2008 - 9:12amis what I get trying to download patent info. Whats up?