“Different types of medical marijuana initiatives face different practical and legal problems. Research trials obviate the need for complex legislation and enforcement but at the cost of only providing legal access to cannabis for very small numbers of patients, at substantial cost… Patients who do not wish to participate in such trials do not have legal access to cannabis.

Laws that allow physicians to prescribe cannabis… face a number of problems. In the USA state prescription laws conflict with federal laws, exposing physicians and patients to the risk of federal criminal prosecution. Even in the absence of prosecution, physicians have been reluctant to prescribe cannabis because of uncertainty about the indications for its use. The organised medical profession also fears incurring legal liability for any harms that may be caused by chronic cannabis smoking.”