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'''Medical marijuana''' is [[marijuana]] used for its (supposed) analgesic or otherwise therapeutic effects (see [[Glaucoma]]).

'''Medical marijuana''' is [[marijuana]] used for its (supposed) analgesic or otherwise therapeutic effects (see [[Glaucoma]]).

Critics doubt that there are any medicinal effects of marijuana, other than an overall effect sought by drug addicts. However, some studies show that Cannabidiol, a chemical compound found in marijuana, inhibits cancer cell growth in lab animals<ref>Mechoulam R., Peters M., Murillo-Rodriguez E., Hanus L.O. '''Cannabidiol - recent advances'''. <i>Chemistry & Biodiversity</i>. August 2007. Vol. 4, Issue 8. Page 1678-92. pmid=17712814. doi=10.1002/cbdv.200790147</ref>. Recent studies have shown cannabidiol to be as effective as [[atypical antipsychotics]] in treating [[schizophrenia]].<ref>Zuardi A.W., Crippa J.A.S., Hallak J.E.C., Moreira F.A., Guimarães F.S. Brazilian Journal of Medical and Biological Research [http://www.scielo.br/pdf/bjmbr/v39n4/6164.pdf Cannabidiol as an antipsychotic drug] (PDF) 2006. Vol. 39. Page 421-9. ISSN 0100-879X</ref>, and [[marijuana]] is commonly viewed as a natural alternative to any otherwise synthetic pharmaceutical drugs. It has also been shown to increase brain cell growth <ref>[http://www.peak.sfu.ca/the-peak/2005-3/issue9/ne-mj.html science: Study shows marijuana increases brain cell growth ]</ref>

Some studies show that Cannabidiol, a chemical compound found in marijuana, inhibits cancer cell growth in lab animals<ref>Mechoulam R., Peters M., Murillo-Rodriguez E., Hanus L.O. '''Cannabidiol - recent advances'''. <i>Chemistry & Biodiversity</i>. August 2007. Vol. 4, Issue 8. Page 1678-92. pmid=17712814. doi=10.1002/cbdv.200790147</ref>. Recent studies have shown cannabidiol to be as effective as [[atypical antipsychotics]] in treating [[schizophrenia]].<ref>Zuardi A.W., Crippa J.A.S., Hallak J.E.C., Moreira F.A., Guimarães F.S. Brazilian Journal of Medical and Biological Research [http://www.scielo.br/pdf/bjmbr/v39n4/6164.pdf Cannabidiol as an antipsychotic drug] (PDF) 2006. Vol. 39. Page 421-9. ISSN 0100-879X</ref>, and [[marijuana]] is commonly viewed as a natural alternative to any otherwise synthetic pharmaceutical drugs. It has also been shown to increase brain cell growth <ref>[http://www.peak.sfu.ca/the-peak/2005-3/issue9/ne-mj.html science: Study shows marijuana increases brain cell growth ]</ref> and increase appetite, which can be useful for patients undergoing chemotherapy.

Opponents of [[drug abuse]] charge that efforts to legalize medical marijuana are intended to be a step towards complete decriminalization and generally decry marijuana as a "[[gateway drug]]". Many supporters of "medical marijuana" use marijuana recreationally. In California, medical marijuana is even available from [[vending machine]]s,<ref>[http://www.planetc1.com/cgi-bin/n/v.cgi?c=1&id=1236007310 Marijuana Medicine Practices Are Hazy and Confusing], Planet Chiropratic dot com</ref><ref>[http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,326634,00.html Medical marijuana vending machines take root in LA] Fox News</ref> similar to automated perscription dispensers at some [[pharmacies]] <ref> [http://www.scriptpro.com/products/spud/main.htm Scriptpro: Robotic Pharmaceutical Dispensing System]</ref>, except that the legality of dispensing marijuana this way is disputed by the Drug Enforcement Agency. Additionally, the seriousness of having a marijuana vending machine for supposedly medical reasons is off-set by the presence of a Bob Marley poster in at least one location. Marley was a member of the Rastafari cult, which advocates the recreational use of the drug under the guise of "spiritual" reasons.

Critics, however, doubt that there are any beneficial medicinal effects of marijuana that cannot be duplicated by other, less-addictive drugs.  They also charge that efforts to legalize medical marijuana are merely a pretext for general decriminalization of a common "[[gateway drug]]".

 

Several states have legalized medical marijuana.  Under the [[George W. Bush|Bush]] administration, the federal government ignored such state laws, viewing them as unconstitutional interference with federal law.  [[California]]'s law was overturned by the [[Supreme Court]] in the case [[Gonzales v. Raich]] <ref>[http://www.law.cornell.edu/supct/html/03-1454.ZO.html Full text of majority opinion, ''Gonzales v. Raich'']</ref>, which said that Congress can "regulate purely local activities that are part of an economic 'class of activities' that have a substantial effect on interstate commerce."  This decision has been criticized by numerous [[conservative]]s and [[libertarian]]s as an unwarranted expansion of Federal power.  Also, current President [[Obama]] has directed Federal prosecutors to avoid prosecuting activities legal under such state laws <ref>"[http://www.justice.gov/opa/documents/medical-marijuana.pdf Memo to Justice Department attorneys]", 19 October 2009</ref>.

 

California currently allows patients to grow marijuana themselves for medical purposes, or to organize as "cooperatives."  Until recently, however, anyone could supply anyone with "medical" marijuana as long as the buyer had a doctor's note (which virtually anyone could obtain) and the person designated the supplier as his "primary caregiver" <ref>http://reason.com/archives/2009/10/23/medical-marijuana-muddle</ref>.  Many people used this as an excuse to use marijuana recreationally. "Medical" marijuana was even available from [[vending machine]]s,<ref>[http://www.planetc1.com/cgi-bin/n/v.cgi?c=1&id=1236007310 Marijuana Medicine Practices Are Hazy and Confusing], Planet Chiropratic dot com</ref><ref>[http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,326634,00.html Medical marijuana vending machines take root in LA] Fox News</ref> similar to automated perscription dispensers at some [[pharmacies]] <ref> [http://www.scriptpro.com/products/spud/main.htm Scriptpro: Robotic Pharmaceutical Dispensing System]</ref>.  Both the Drug Enformement Agency and the California Supreme Court say that such practices are illegal.  One attorney has said that he considers all sale of marijuana still illegal. Additionally, the seriousness of having a marijuana vending machine for supposedly medical reasons is off-set by the presence of a Bob Marley poster in at least one location. Marley was a member of the Rastafari cult, which advocates the recreational use of the drug under the guise of "spiritual" reasons.

==References==

==References==