New antihypertensive cannabinoids

A number of azacannabinoids containing hydroxyacyl and aminoacetyl substituents on the nitrogen atom were synthesized. The hydroxyacetyl and gamma-hydroxybutyryl derivatives were potent antihypertensive agents (minimum effective dose, 3-5 mg/kg, orally) of the same order of activity as the highly CNS-active N-propargyl derivatives Ia and Ib. Furthermore, 4a showed weak stimulant properties at hypotensive dose levels, in contrast to the strongly CNS-depressant action characteristic of the N-propargyl analogues.