Medical Marijuana ProCon.org presents laws, studies, statistics, surveys, government reports, and pro and con statements on questions related to marijuana as medicine. For the best overview of this website, start with the four boxes below: 1-Minute Overview, expert responses to our core question "Should marijuana be a medical option?," Top 10 Pros and Cons, and fun facts in Did You Know?
[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.]
For more information browse the left column resources, read pros and cons in the issues below, or visit our notices section for our most recent content.
11/13/2009 - The American Medical Associationchanged its official medical marijuana policy and now "urges that marijuana's status as a federal Schedule I controlled substance be reviewed." Its prior policy stated that "marijuana be retained in Schedule I."
11/6/2009 - UPDATED: How 728 Schools Are Using ProCon.org – ProCon.org is now used by schools in all 50 US states (North Dakota just added) and 17 countries (Sweden and Macedonia just added). 119 elementary and middle schools, 282 high schools, and 327 colleges and universities use the free nonpartisan research we provide to stimulate critical thinking.
11/4/2009 - NEW: ProCon.org Volunteers & Interns - See the latest volunteer research opportunities at ProCon.org along with profiles of our talented and hard working senior interns, interns, and volunteers.
11/4/2009 - UPDATED:On Nov. 3, 2009, 59% of voters in Maine approved a medical marijuana ballot measure that requires the state to establish a registry identification program, allows nonprofit dispensaries to operate, and increases the number of approved conditions for legal medical marijuana use.
10/30/2009 - UPDATED:"Should marijuana be rescheduled?" (45 KB) Read our five-page pro and con document about whether marijuana should be reclassified to Schedule II or III or lower, instead of its current classification in Schedule I with drugs like LSD and heroin.
10/29/2009 - UPDATED: Physicians' Views on Medical Marijuana - See 90 physicians’ views on whether or not marijuana should be a medical option. Our updated research shows that 54.4% of physicians cited on medicalmarijuana.procon.org are Pro medical marijuana, including Dr. John A. Benson, Jr., one of the authors of the 1999 Institute of Medicine report "Marijuana and Medicine: Assessing the Science Base."
10/28/2009 - NEW: Survey for High School Students Only – If you’re in high school, please take our 10 question survey about ProCon.org, critical thinking, and you.
(45 KB) Read our five-page pro and con document about whether marijuana should be reclassified to Schedule II or III or lower, instead of its current classification in Schedule I with drugs like LSD and heroin.