Our Latest Updates – Archive

Missouri Medical Marijuana Patients Authorized to Possess Marijuana
1/31/2020 -

The Missouri DHSS clarified in a letter this week that medical marijuana card holders are legally allowed to possess and use medical marijuana even though licensed dispensaries have not opened yet.

What Is Cannabidiol (CBD)?
1/10/2020 -

CBD can now be found in drinks, pet products, gummy bears, cosmetics, and more. With the explosion of CBD’s popularity, you might be wondering what exactly this marijuana-related compound is. See how the experts explain the science behind the trend.

US Government Allocates $3M for Research on CBD and Pain
9/20/2019 -

The National Institutes of Health awarded nine research grants to investigate the potential role of cannabinoids such as CBD in pain management.

NEW ProCon.org Website! – 2020 Presidential Election: The Candidates and Where They Stand on the Issues
8/29/2019 -

Learn about the presidential candidates’ views on important issues, compare them with a side-by-side chart, find your best match with a fun quiz, track their finances, and so much more on our 2020 Presidential Election website. The New York Times called our previous presidential election site “The most comprehensive tool for researching the candidate’s stance on issues.” Check back monthly for expanded issue coverage.

Illinois Medical Marijuana Program Made Permanent
8/13/2019 -

On Aug. 12, 2019, Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed a bill making the state’s medical marijuana program permanent, whereas before it had been set to expire in 2020. The new law added 11 qualifying conditions for which a person may apply to use medical marijuana.

17 States with Legal Cannabidiol (CBD)
7/12/2019 -

The 17 states that have not legalized medical marijuana have all passed laws allowing the use of cannabidiol (CBD) extract, usually in oil form and with limited amounts of THC.

Texas Expands CBD Program
6/17/2019 -

Texas Governor Greg Abbott signed a bill on June 14, 2019 that adds more medical conditions to the list of patients allowed to obtain cannabidiol containing up to .5% THC from a state-licensed dispensary.

Is Marijuana an Effective Treatment for Reducing Nausea and Vomiting from Chemotherapy?
4/10/2019 -

Read pros and cons from the Minnesota Department of Public Health (pro), the FDA (con), the Institute of Medicine (pro), the American Medical Association (con), and more.

Is Marijuana an Effective Alternative to Opioid Treatment?
2/25/2019 -

Prescription opioid deaths were five times higher in 2017 than in 1999, according to the CDC. Explore the pros and cons of using medical marijuana as an alternative to opioids, with quotes from orthopedic surgeon Frank D’Ambrosio (pro), Stanford University School of Medicine professor Keith Humphreys (con), former Drug Policy Alliance Manager of Marijuana Law and Policy Amanda Reiman (pro), Medical Director at Caron Treatment Centers Joseph Garbely (con), and more.

New ProCon.org Website! – Should Birth Control Pills Be Available Over-the-Counter?
2/21/2019 -

Our new topic explores the pros and cons in the debate over making birth control pills available over-the-counter (OTC). 9.1 million women (12.6% of contraceptive users) use birth control pills, which are the second-most commonly used method of contraception in the United States. Proponents say making the birth control pill available over-the-counter would lower teen pregnancy rates, provide contraceptive access to medically underserved women, and ease access to a health-improving drug with decades of safe use. Opponents say making the Pill over-the-counter would raise the cost of contraception for women, pose a danger to teens’ and women’s health by removing the doctor’s visit requirement, and limit what options are made available.

Our new website presents the top pro & con arguments and quotes, a history of the debate, a video gallery, the prescription status of birth control pills around the world, and a list of drugs switched from prescription to OTC status.

Should Marijuana Be a Medical Option?
1/23/2019 -

Examine both sides of the debate on medical cannabis with new quotes from dispensary owner Chanda Macias (pro) and the Cleveland Clinic (con), along with insights from doctors, pharmacists, politicians, and more, including Dr. Sanjay Gupta (pro) and the FDA (con).

Researcher Wanted at Educational Nonprofit ProCon.org
1/17/2019 -

ProCon.org, a Los Angeles-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit public charity,
seeks an in-house Researcher (full-time with benefits or part-time
without benefits) to develop content for websites devoted to a
nonpartisan in-depth presentation of 70+ controversial issues. Three
items are required for application, as specified in the job notice.

President Trump Signs Bill Legalizing Industrial Hemp
12/27/2018 -

On Dec. 20, 2018, the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 (aka Farm Bill) removed hemp containing less than 0.3% THC from the Controlled Substances Act.

33 Legal Medical Marijuana States and DC
11/7/2018 -

Missouri and Utah joined the list of states with legal medical marijuana after the success of ballot measures in the Nov. 6, 2018 election.

31 Legal Medical Marijuana States and DC
9/7/2018 -

Cannabis fees, possession limits, approved conditions, registration requirements, and other important information for each legal state from Alaska to West Virginia.