Medical Marijuana Legalization

Marijuana has no known medical values Are there medicinal benefits of marijuana? Could there really be more to the cannabis plant than “getting high?” Yes, the cannabis (scientific name for “marijuana”) plant does in fact have medical uses, and there is much more to this extraordinary plant than consuming it to experience its psychoactive effects. However, most Americans are unaware of the present day medicinal applications of cannabis. From migraines to multiple sclerosis, cannabis can help. The cannabis plant is grown naturally and contains no added chemicals, making it ideal. In modern medicine, the cannabis plant has many medical uses. Cannabis was legal to consume in the United States up until 1937, when the “marihuana tax act of 1937” made possession or transfer of cannabis illegal throughout the United States under federal law, excluding medical and industrial uses. The American Medical Association was not in favor of this legislation. Before this law was passed, marijuana was legal and quite popular in the United States. Martin Booth explains in his book Cannabis: A History, that In the 1880’s “hashish” parlors were very popular in America and it was estimated that their were around five hundred of these parlors in New York at the time. From 1850-1942 cannabis was listed in the U.S Pharmacopoeia as a useful medicine for nausea, rheumatism, and labor pains; it was also easily obtained at the local general store or pharmacy. More than 20 prescription medicines containing marijuana were sold in U.S. pharmacies at the turn of the 20th century, and marijuana-based medications were commonly available until cannabis was taken out of the U.S. Pharmacopeia in 1942. Then in 1970, the Comprehensive Drug Abuse Prevention and Control Act of 1970, classified marijuana as a Schedule I drug. According to this act a schedule I drug means three things: the drug has high potential for abuse, the drug has no currently accepted medical use in the U.S, and there is a lack of

References: 1. Booth, Martin. Cannabis: A History. Web. 2. "Facts About Medical Marijuana | Medical Insurance." Compare Medical Insurance Quotes - Medical Insurance.org. Web. 27 Nov. 2011. <http://www.medicalinsurance.org/marijuana-health-facts/>. 3. "Should You Be Smoking Marijuana To Treat Your Glaucoma?" Glaucoma Research Foundation. Web. 27 Nov. 2011. <http://www.glaucoma.org/treatment/should-you-be-smoking-marijuana-to-treat-your-glaucoma-1.php>.