There are also other substances (such as psilocybin and LSD) which have the potential to massively reduce the cashflow of big pharma (specifically: in the case of anti-depressants).
And now you understand the importance of the War on Drugs for billionaires in our society.
It seems people are slowly beginning to understand to what degree our society and its systems are corrupted by "economic forces" and not built with the interest of the citizens' wellbeing at heart.
I see people say this, and I disagree. And just for clarity, I'm definitely pro-drug legalisation - even of drugs I never want to be in the same room with.
I think drug companies are precisely the sort of place to produce medical-grade LSD (and other therapudic "recreational" drugs) that has predictable dosages. Same goes for cannabinoids in pill form - especially the sorts meant for folks that would rather skip the high. Someone will need to supply mental health & addiction centers with this. And I think the sale of which will be basically on-par with at least generic anti-depressants. It won't replace anti-depressants or anti-anxiety meds, however. While some folks find improvements in such treatments, it can also make the symptoms worse. It isn't a cure-all, but rather an important alternative and/or addition to current drug treatments. Of course, this is all assuming folks have a clinical setting and that "big pharma" enters this section of the market.
This isn't saying that the war on drugs isn't something about money, but I highly doubt it is big pharma. In fact, considering some of the horror stories about medical treatment in prisons, it might actually be a positive for them even if they don't enter the market as those folks would theoretically get "normal" medical treatment. In contrast, private and public prisons have a huge network of suppliers. Companies and the government hire inmates to do work at very low labor costs. These folks have much more to lose from the end of the drug war.
LSD cannot be patented, so Big Pharma cannot make money on it - they'd have to compete on price, which would lead to really slim margins. If LSD is kept illegal, they can sell patented "alternatives" at huge margins.
Sandoz patented LSD in 1948, actually. The way patent laws work these days, if there is any pharmaceutical value in LSD, I bet current owner Novartis would fire up their team of lawyers. :/
The medical industry considers the hallucinations recreational LSD users enjoy a nasty side effect. If this wasn't the case, such would possibly be on the market specific known treatments that LSD / psilocybin might help (eg cluster headaches), versus the industry trying to look at similar non-hallucinogenic compounds (eg https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2-Bromo-LSD) or other completely different alternatives.
They can patent a process that gives them very reliable dosages, though. And like the other reply said, the Generic companies aren't relying on the patent protection anyway.
They might find different sorts of chemical structures that are theraputically superior than LSD itself as well, but this stuff wont' happen without minimally having LSD medically legal.
They can still sell the patented "alternatives" : LSD isn't a cure-all and isn't necessarily ideal for everyone. Besides, these patents will eventually run out, so they'll have to think up new ideas nevertheless.
You're right that they can't use LSD straight. But they can develop a nearly identical molecule with identical effects, shepherd that molecule through the FDA approval process, and then have a profitable monopoly. Which on one level sucks but on another level means that if we really can benefit from LSD as a drug then we should expect Big Pharma to let us get it through our doctors once the regulatory/legal barriers to using it go away.
As much as I believe that psychedelic experiences should be available to those who seek them, and pro rec mj, LSD can't be legalized. Enough dumbasses out there will drink a vial and then try to drive their car to the moon. Penalties should be much less extreme though.
Maybe designated psychedelic theme parks where it's legal and quality controlled with no access to motor vehicles? (with music too?)
How is that different from drinking a fifth of vodka and doing the same? The difference is that in the years of people drinking, and the years of people dropping LSD, we have good stats on which is deadlier.
Like I said I think it should be readily available to those who seek it out, without the threat of substantial punishment, it would just be a shit show if Johny H.S. Senior is able to pick up a sheet at 7-11.
How many "Johny turned the school cafeteria into an acid test" news stories is this LSD legalization experiment gonna last for? It pains me to have to say that because I'd love to be able to pick some up at 7-11, just not sure if it's the best idea.
> LSD cannot be patented, so Big Pharma cannot make money on it
This doesn't entirely track. Certainly brand-name pharma that do drug research might not be interested, but generic pharma that simply copy drugs from the brands and sell them at steep discounts certainly would.
And now you understand the importance of the War on Drugs for billionaires in our society.
It seems people are slowly beginning to understand to what degree our society and its systems are corrupted by "economic forces" and not built with the interest of the citizens' wellbeing at heart.