The role of nitric oxide (NO) in the development of cannabinoid tolerance was examined by using N(omega)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) as an inhibitor of NO synthase. R(+)-[2,3-Dihydro-5-methyl-3 [(morpholinyl)methyl]pyrrolo[1,2,3-de]-1,4-benzoxazin-yl]-(1-napht halenyl)methanone mesylate (WIN 55,212-2), a cannabinoid receptor agonist, or L-NAME plus WIN 55,212-2 was acutely or chronically injected i.p. to mice and analgesia, body temperature and immobility were measured. A single injection of WIN 55,212-2 induced time- and dose-dependent analgesia, hypothermia and catalepsy. L-NAME (50 mg/kg), which per se was ineffective, administered 20 min before WIN 55,212-2 did not modify the analgesic, hypothermic and cataleptic responses to the cannabinoid. When WIN 55,212-2 was administered once a day, the animals became completely tolerant to the analgesic, hypothermic and cataleptic effects within five, seven and nine days respectively. L-NAME injected once daily 20 min before WIN 55,212-2 inhibited the development of tolerance to the hypothermic and cataleptic actions but not to the analgesic action of WIN 55,212-2. Since L-NAME given chronically by itself did not modify the analgesia, hypothermia and catalepsy induced by acute administration of WIN 55,212-2, our findings suggest L-NAME acts with some selectivity on the mechanisms involved in cannabinoid tolerance.