Peripheral cannabinoid receptor (CB2) selective ligands

A method of preferentially stimulating the CB2 receptors in an individual or animal comprising administering to the individual or animal a therapeutically effective amount of a compound having the formula:

• and physiologically acceptable salts thereof, wherein
• R1 is selected from OH;
• H;
• OCH3;
• N3;
• NH2;
• O(CH2)nN(CH3)2 and
• where n is an integer from 1-3;
• R2 is selected from (CH2)nCH3, where n is an integer from 4-6;
• C(CH3)2(CH2)nCH3, where n is an integer from 3-5;
• where each X is independently selected from CH2, O, S and NH and n is an integer from 3-5;
• (CH2)nC≡CH where n is an integer from about 3-5;
• C≡C(CH2)nCH3 where n is an integer from 2-4 and
• where R is H, (CH2)nCH3, and n is a maximum of 7;
• R3 is selected from H;
• CH3;
• C2H5;
• C3H7;
• C4H9;
• (CH2)nN(CH3)2 and
• where n is an integer from 1-3;
• with the proviso that if R1 is H or OH and R3 is selected from H;
• CH3 and C2H5, than R2 can not be
• where each X is independently selected from CH2, O, S and NH and n is an integer from 3-5, or
• where R is H, (CH2)nCH3, and n is a maximum of 7.