Medical Marijuana

Medical Marijuana

Medical marijuana refers to the use of the cannabis plant for medicinal purposes.  It is the common name for Medical cannabis.  Marijuana is regulated as a Schedule I controlled substance and its use is prohibited under federal law.  Dronabinol and nabilone are synthetic cannabinoids approved by the Food and Drug Administration.  Sativex is a cannabis based extract being evaluated in Phase III trials.  In the United States, recreational marijuana use remains illegal under federal law and state laws. However, certain states have begun permitting marijuana use for medical purposes by passing legislation addressing medical marijuana use.  State laws regarding the legality of medical marijuana vary.  Thirteen states permit marijuana use for medical purposes.  Usage of the drug for medicinal purposes generally requires a physician’s prescription. Marijuana is also spelled marihuana in certain jurisdictions and is also referred to as cannabis.

States that permit the medical use of marijuana: Alaska, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Maine, Michigan, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont and Washington.  Currently, only California, New Mexico and Rhode Island sell medical cannabis in dispensaries.  Medical marijuana bills are under consideration in Illinois, Pennsylvania, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New Jersey New York and North Carolina.