Comparative Analyses of “Medical Marijuana” Laws in the United States

Abstract

The medical justification as to the risks and benefits associated with the use of marijuana for medical purposes is not supported by current medical research and state and federal laws in the United States. State endorsed "medical marijuana" currently take the form of a dried plant, Cannabis sativa. State laws in favor of legalizing marijuana for medical use fail to incorporate the general legal standards for medical practice and are created absent any uniformed guidelines. These attempts to circumvent federal law lack the support of the medical and legal community as they overlook the standards for safety and effectiveness established by the Food and Drug Administration for medical use. With a growing public demand for marijuana, states have merely attempted to bypass the federal government's current regulations on marijuana by legalizing such laws.

Marijuana-Is It a Medicine?

“…Another article has discussed the association between violence and marijuana [5], which is more timely and interesting cross-talk. The article by Miller et al [6] also discussed on marijuana as a schedule I controlled substance and highlighted its necessity to come under 'medical marijuana' law. However, another article justified the necessary use of marijuana in adolescents [7].…”

“…Critics have also pointed out that, it would be improper to have marijuana regulated in the same manner as alcohol since it is highly dangerous and addictive. Hence, Miller et al [6], suggest the best option would be to keep marijuana as a schedule I controlled substance and require greater medical scrutiny as a perquisite for state 'medical marijuana' laws.…”