Live data from Hacker News

The lucrative business of America’s opioid crisis

nytimes.com

81–90 of 211 posts

Re: The lucrative business of America’s opioid crisis

#81
post #49
post #29

Earlier quoted context omitted.

And it is used medically in many countries for things like end-stage cancer pain.

In the UK it's given to some women during childbirth (although it's coyly known as "diamorphine"). https://www.babycentre.co.uk/a1026346/diamorphine

I really didn't know that is what it was. "Heroin" because it is dirty? "Diamorphine" because it is clean?

Re: The lucrative business of America’s opioid crisis

#83

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Actually the opposite. Government regulations outlaw cheap non-dangerous alternatives (like cannabis) and create a monopoly by granting patents to a single entity. https://qz.com/1125690/big-pharma-is-taking-advantage-of-pat... http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/outdated-treatments-and-dr... The solution is to make cannabis legal for everybody in every state for medical use and since it cannot be patented there will b…

> Actually the opposite. Government regulations... I'm from the Netherlands so you won't hear me disagree with the argument that criminalizing cannabis and drugs is not the solution[0]. Having said that, the typical undertone on HN of "regulation is bad by definition" really irks me. I can imagine that if the only perspective one has is a dysfunctional government, one might think that, but please take a look abroad a…

I've always observed that HN leans pro-regulation.

Re: The lucrative business of America’s opioid crisis

#84
Evidently you don't know Jack about SLE LUPUS, DISCOID LUOUS, FIBROMYALGIA, TMJ IN BOTH JAWS, IMFLAMATORY ARTHRITIS, OSTEOARTHRITIS, CHRONIC SEVERE INSOMNIA, FULL BODY RESTLESS LEG SYNDROME, SCOLIOSIS, PINCHED NERVE BEHIN THE SPINE, SPINALSTENOSIS, AND HACKERS FOR ALMOST THREE YEARS. ARE DO YOU? ENLIGHTEN ME.

Re: The lucrative business of America’s opioid crisis

#85
post #52

Capitalism is sinister like this. It doesn't intentionally do it, because capitalism isn't a person, but when everything is monetized by our creative entrepreneurs, it grows; our problems being no exception. Once someone makes money, they want more of it. Capitalism demands more of it. And we stretch every line of the law, even cross it, just to get more from where that came from. Unfortunately one person suppressing…

Actually the opposite. Government regulations outlaw cheap non-dangerous alternatives (like cannabis) and create a monopoly by granting patents to a single entity. https://qz.com/1125690/big-pharma-is-taking-advantage-of-pat... http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/outdated-treatments-and-dr... The solution is to make cannabis legal for everybody in every state for medical use and since it cannot be patented there will b…

I don't know, dude. If you are talking of using camnnabis for medical use, I'm gonna want a dosage guideline and strength/purity promises.

I'm pretty sure for medical use, it will more closely resemble ibuprofen or cough medicine if it is without prescription. With prescription it'll be more like generics. It might still be a monopoly, since these drugs have to go through all the FDA testing. Heck, if you want fluoride in your toothpaste you have to go through animal testing - same for menthol in cough drops. I don't know why folks think it should be different for medical cannabis, though some folks will just use their own supply instead.

Outside of medical use, I'll guess it'll be regulated much like alcohol or tobacco. These aren't exactly lightly regulated either, though it is a much easier market to break into.

Besides, there is lots to patent. Hybrid plants, GMO plants, extraction methods for pills. Brands will be a thing, I'd think. And it doesn't mean all the other stuff won't be necessary - pot isn't a cure all, though should be an option in the arsenal. Folks will still make their money, I think.

Re: The lucrative business of America’s opioid crisis

#87

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Actually the opposite. Government regulations outlaw cheap non-dangerous alternatives (like cannabis) and create a monopoly by granting patents to a single entity. https://qz.com/1125690/big-pharma-is-taking-advantage-of-pat... http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/outdated-treatments-and-dr... The solution is to make cannabis legal for everybody in every state for medical use and since it cannot be patented there will b…

> Actually the opposite. Government regulations... I'm from the Netherlands so you won't hear me disagree with the argument that criminalizing cannabis and drugs is not the solution[0]. Having said that, the typical undertone on HN of "regulation is bad by definition" really irks me. I can imagine that if the only perspective one has is a dysfunctional government, one might think that, but please take a look abroad a…

America has plenty of successful examples of government programs; the problem is ideological blinders rather than a uniquely ineffectual government.

Re: The lucrative business of America’s opioid crisis

#88

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Yes. I think a better term here might be corporate personhood , where corporations have some of the rights that people have while shielding their owners from liability.

Hum. Looks like "corporatism" is a thing: https://www.wordnik.com/words/corporatism

Yeah, I was thinking about that but I think corporatism is an effect of corporate personhood. If we're talking about root causes, I think it's the rights we attach to corporations.

Re: The lucrative business of America’s opioid crisis

#90
post #52

Capitalism is sinister like this. It doesn't intentionally do it, because capitalism isn't a person, but when everything is monetized by our creative entrepreneurs, it grows; our problems being no exception. Once someone makes money, they want more of it. Capitalism demands more of it. And we stretch every line of the law, even cross it, just to get more from where that came from. Unfortunately one person suppressing…

Actually the opposite. Government regulations outlaw cheap non-dangerous alternatives (like cannabis) and create a monopoly by granting patents to a single entity. https://qz.com/1125690/big-pharma-is-taking-advantage-of-pat... http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/outdated-treatments-and-dr... The solution is to make cannabis legal for everybody in every state for medical use and since it cannot be patented there will b…

Other countries without legal cannabis haven't had the same problem with opioid medication.
Post reply on HN