I'm wondering whether there's a connection between this study being done/published, and the fact that it appears weed is on its way to eventually becoming legalized. Is this big pharma's way of trying to profit from the medical use of THC? Perhaps they're thinking that one day their product will be approved by the FDA and other nations for more types of pain than smoking weed ever will.
This is not directed at anyone in particular, but don't underestimate these greedy capitalist snakes (big pharma). They've been at this for a long time now and know how to push the right buttons (so to speak) to get even the most conservative and stubborn doctors to accept that synthetic THC is the way to go for certain types of pain.
P.S, for what it's worth, I haven't smoked weed in years, nor would I want to as I'm constantly offered the stuff (many times pro bono) but I refuse because I can't tolerate the paranoia/anxiety I get from it anymore. Odd... I can now smoke it again without any problems.