Medical Marijuana ProCon.org

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Medical Marijuana

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Video introduction to ProCon.org and the pros and cons of controversial topics

Medical Marijuana Home

Featured Resources

Should marijuana be a medical option?

Top 10 Pros and Cons

Historical Timeline

+Pros & Cons by Category

Projects

16 Legal Medical Marijuana States and DC

16 States with Pending Legislation to Legalize Medical Marijuana

Teen Marijuana Use, 1999-2006

Deaths from Marijuana v. 17 FDA-Approved Drugs

101 Peer-Reviewed Studies on Marijuana

Medical Marijuana Infographic

Opinion Polls/Surveys

90 Physicians' Views on Medical Marijuana

Pharmaceutical Drugs Based on Cannabis

US Government Reports on Medical Marijuana

Drug Tests - Methods of Detecting Cannabis Use

Major Court Cases (and Related Docs)

Ranking 20 Drugs and Alcohol by Overall Harm

2012 Presidential Candidates' Positions on Medical Marijuana

Learn More

Source Biographies

Notices Archive

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Should marijuana be a medical option?

Should marijuana be a medical option?

In 1972, the US Congress placed marijuana in Schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act because they considered it to have "no accepted medical use." Since then, 16 of 50 US states and DC have legalized the medical use of marijuana.

Proponents of medical marijuana argue that it can be a safe and effective treatment for the symptoms of cancer, AIDS, multiple sclerosis, pain, glaucoma, epilepsy, and other conditions. They cite dozens of peer-reviewed studies, prominent medical organizations, major government reports, and the use of marijuana as medicine throughout world history.

Opponents of medical marijuana argue that it is too dangerous to use, lacks FDA-approval, and that various legal drugs make marijuana use unnecessary. They say marijuana is addictive, leads to harder drug use, interferes with fertility, impairs driving ability, and injures the lungs, immune system, and brain. They say that medical marijuana is a front for drug legalization and recreational use.

Top 10 Pros & Cons

Historical Timeline

[Note: We do not provide referrals to or recommendations of marijuana dispensaries, cannabis clubs, physicians, or attorneys although we do reference them on this website.] Medical Marijuana ProCon.org is a nonpartisan, nonprofit website that presents facts, studies, and pro and con statements on questions related to whether or not marijuana should be a medical option.

Pros & Cons by Category

CORE QUESTION

Should marijuana be a medical option?

Medical Value

American Medical Association (AMA)

Marinol v. Medical Marijuana

Diseases / Conditions

AIDS (HIV) & AIDS Wasting

Alzheimer's Disease

Asthma / Breathing Disorders

Crohn's / Gastrointestinal Disorders

Epilepsy / Seizures

Multiple Sclerosis / Muscle Spasms

Nausea / Chemotherapy

Pain / Analgesia

Psychological Conditions

Tourette's Syndrome

Non-Smoked Marijuana

Medical Value & Risk

Public Policy

Public Policy on Medical Marijuana

Risks

Teens & Adolescents

Gateway / Stepping Stone

Human Reproduction

US Government and Medical Marijuana

1999 Institute of Medicine Report

Legal US Medical Marijuana Patients

Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)

Food & Drug Administration (FDA)

Federal Drug Scheduling

Government Grown Marijuana

Access to Medical Marijuana

Clubs / Clinics

Dosage / Potency

Legal Issues

Legal Issues for Physicians

US Government v. Patients / Clinics

General Legal Issues

Chemical Composition of Marijuana

Marijuana and Its Byproducts Defined

Biological Effects of Marijuana Consumption

Cannabidiol (CBD)

Share your thoughts on medical marijuana and read, vote on, and reply to existing comments. Join the debate.

ProCon.org Notices (archived after 30 days)

1/26/2012 - NEW: 16 States with Pending Legislation to Legalize Medical Marijuana - Bills that would legalize medical marijuana are being considered in 16 states. Ten bills carried over from 2011 in states that have two-year legislative sessions. One state, Delaware, passed medical marijuana in 2011. Medical marijuana is currently legal in 16 states and Washington, DC.

1/4/2012 - NEW: Ranking 20 Drugs and Alcohol by Overall Harm - Marijuana ranked #8 out of 20 drugs in overall harm according to a study in The Lancet, a British peer-reviewed medical journal. Alcohol ranked #1 in overall harm and harm to others. Crack cocaine had the highest score for harm to users. See our new graphs showing detailed harm rankings for alcohol, cannabis, cocaine, ecstasy, heroin, LSD, methamphetamine, and more.

Archived Notices (archived after 30 days)

Last updated on 2/1/2012 10:49:34 AM PST