6-Alkoxy-5-aryl-3-pyridincarboxamides, including the brain-, have been recently introduced as selective, high-affinity antagonists of the human cannabinoid-1 receptor (hCB 1 R). Binding analyses revealed two orders of magnitude lower affinity of these compounds for mouse and rat versus human CB 1 R, whereas the affinity of rimonabant is comparable for all three CB 1 Rs. Modeling of ligand binding to CB 1 R and binding assays with native and mutant (Ile105Met) hCB 1 Rs indicate that the Ile105 to Met mutation in rodent CB 1 Rs accounts for the species-dependent affinity of 14g and 14h. Our work identifies Ile105 as a new pharmacophore component for developing better hCB 1 R antagonists and invalidates rodent models for assessing the antiobesity efficacy of 14g and 14h.