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Medical Marijuana

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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.


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[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
  Medical Value
  American Medical Association (AMA)
  Marinol v. Medical Marijuana

Diseases / Conditions
  AIDS (HIV) & AIDS Wasting
  Alzheimer's Disease
  Arthritis
  Asthma / Breathing Disorders
  Crohn's / Gastrointestinal Disorders
  Epilepsy / Seizures
  Glaucoma
  Hepatitis C
  Migraines
  Multiple Sclerosis / Muscle Spasms
  Nausea / Chemotherapy
  Pain / Analgesia
  Psychological Conditions
  Tourette's Syndrome
  Terminally Ill

Non-Smoked Marijuana
  Medical Value & Risk

Public Policy
  Public Policy on Medical Marijuana

Risks
  Medical Risks
  Teens & Adolescents
  Gateway / Stepping Stone
  Addictiveness
  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
  Patients

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

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