I don't know but I've been told medical marijuana can be an effective treatment for gout.  Chinese medicine apparently used marijuana to treat a variety of conditions, including gout, malaria, joint pain and muscle spasms, as far back as 2900 B.C.  In the 5,000 years since then, many cultures and civilizations have used it for a variety of purposes.  For example, the U.S. Government uses it now to keep the black population partially incarcerated and under surveillance.

Wish that were a joke. . . . 

Anyway, marijuana has over 80 chemical compounds known as cannabinoids, which affect the central nervous system and potentially offer pain relief.  The two most prominent cannabinoids are THC and CDB.  THC is the primary psychoactive compound that gives cannabis its recreational use, and is believed to have some medicinal value as well.  CBD, or cannabidiol, is the primary medicinal compound that gives marijuana its beneficial application for many medical conditions, including epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, cancer and inflammation.

The medical marijuana industry has now generated strains of weed that are low on the THC, so no fun for the recreational stoners, but high in CBD and therefore of exceptional medicinal value.  For example, the Harlequin strain claims to be 25% THC and 46% CBD.  Although even 25% THC is enough to technically get one high, CBDs reportedly can nullify the THC effect, and Harlequin is known for not being good at getting one high, if that's what one was after. 

I came across a post on another blog by a gout sufferer who tried Harlequin to treat the pain in his inflamed foot.  He had tried several prescription medicines to no avail - they just made him nauseous - and he couldn't take ibuprofen because of a kidney condition, so he eventually tried a paste form of Harlequin that's applied directly to the skin.   He initially took a small dose to avoid feeling "high," and relieved that he didn't, took a larger dose, "about the size of a small drop of super glue," to deal with the gout pain and reported: 

"After an hour, a little goofy, but comfortable, foot hurt. Played with the kids. 

After two hours, no different in feeling high (whew), but my foot feels great, almost no pain. 

After three hours, feeling pretty focused, not too tired. Don't feel like I ate pills all day (upset stomach, constipation, all that crap), which is great. Foot is swollen a bit, but not much pain. I am actually pretty impressed with the painkilling level. Swelling has gone down; likely due to treatment for swelling that I did, not sure. Feel really good overall."

So it worked for him. It may or may not have the same effects for you.  Not saying you should necessarily try it, I'm just saying keep an open mind.