SAR studies on a series of thiophene amide derivatives provided CB(2) receptor agonists. The activity of the compounds was characterized by radioligand binding determination, multiple functional assays, ADME, and pharmacokinetic studies. A representative compound with selectivity for CB(2) over CB(1) effectively produced analgesia in behavioral models of neuropathic, inflammatory, and postsurgical pain. Control experiments using a CB(2) antagonist demonstrated the efficacy in the pain models resulted from CB(2) agonism.