Medical cannabis in the United States

Medical cannabis in the United States

U.S. Government Medical Marijuana crop. University of Mississippi. Oxford

Medical cannabis in the United States refers to the use of cannabis and its cannabinoids for medical purposes in the United States. Although cannabis remains a Schedule I drug under federal law, many states have legalized its medical use.

History

The use of cannabis for medical purposes dates back to ancient times. In the United States, the use of cannabis for medical purposes was first legalized in California in 1996 with the passage of Proposition 215. Since then, 33 states, the District of Columbia, Guam, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands have approved comprehensive, publicly available medical cannabis programs.

Federal law

Despite the legalization of medical cannabis in many states, it remains illegal under federal law. The Controlled Substances Act of 1970 classified cannabis as a Schedule I drug, which means it is considered to have a high potential for abuse and no accepted medical use. However, the federal government has generally not intervened with states' medical cannabis programs.

State laws

Each state that has legalized medical cannabis has its own unique set of laws and regulations. Some states allow patients to grow their own cannabis, while others require it to be purchased from licensed dispensaries. Some states have also established systems to regulate the production and distribution of medical cannabis.

Medical uses

Cannabis is used to treat a variety of medical conditions, including chronic pain, nausea and vomiting associated with chemotherapy, and spasticity from multiple sclerosis. Some studies have also suggested that cannabis may be effective in treating epilepsy and posttraumatic stress disorder.

Research

Research into the medical benefits of cannabis is ongoing. However, the classification of cannabis as a Schedule I drug has made it difficult for researchers to obtain the drug for study. Despite these challenges, a number of studies have found evidence of the medical benefits of cannabis.

See also

• Cannabis in the United States
• Legality of cannabis
• Medical cannabis