Replacement of the phenyl ring in our previous (morpholinomethyl) aniline carboxamide cannabinoid receptor ligands with a pyridine ring led to the discovery of a novel chemical series of CB2 ligands. Compound 3, that is, 2, 2-dimethyl-N-(5-methyl-4-(morpholinomethyl) pyridin-2-yl) butanamide was identified as a potent and selective CB2 agonist exhibiting in vivo efficacy after oral administration in a rat model of neuropathic pain.