Marijuana is accepted as a source of medicinal value in 16 of the 50 United States of America, and the District of Columbia.  Although many states laws may permit the use of marijuana, federal law, however, still states that marijuana is illegal. Although many people may dismiss the Medical Marijuana act as a cover up for pot smokers to obtain the substance, Marijuana is a legitimate source of medication for many people.

In 1545 the Spanish brought marijuana to the New World.  The English introduced it in Jamestown in 1611 where it became a major commercial crop alongside tobacco and was grown as a source of fiber.  By 1890, hemp had been replaced by cotton as a major cash crop in southern states.  Marijuana was listed in the United States Pharmacopeia from 1850 until 1942 and was prescribed for various conditions including labor pains, nausea, and rheumatism.  Its use as an intoxicant was also commonplace from the 1850s to the 1930s. A campaign conducted in the 1930’s by the U.S. Federal Bureau of Narcotics, which is now known as the Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs, sought to portray marijuana as a powerful, addicting substance that would lead users into narcotics addiction.  It is still considered a "gateway" drug by some authorities.  The Controlled Substances Act of 1970 classified marijuana along with heroin and LSD as a Schedule I drug which categorizes the substance to have no accepted medical use.              Medical Marijuana is a very debatable topic which, when it comes down to a scientific and non biased approach, the pro-legalization side has the most favor.  Most of the information found has shown promising medicinal outlooks.  It has been found that marijuana is a safe, non-toxic medicine by many studies, which may be useful in the treatment of many medical conditions.  This includes multiple sclerosis, AIDS, glaucoma, chronic pain, and many others.  People who suffer from bipolar disorder and also scientists have made the discovery that marijuana can improve the disorder.  It also may reduce the side effects of many other drugs that are used to treat this disease, along with a majority of medications that are used to also treat other diseases. 

            Marijuana also helps terminally ill patients live happier lives.  Smoked marijuana provides rapid relief from great pain to some patients; it quickly improves these patients comfort.  Marijuana also helps maintain their dignity and improves their mental outlook. 

Marijuana, if legalized nationally, can provide patients with a quality source of medicine to subside pain without the constant threat of the federal government arresting them.  If more research was able to be done on marijuana, scientists and other health experts could have a better understanding of the ingredients and then could determine the appropriate dosage for a person.  Legalization for medical purposes may encourage the pharmaceutical industry to also invest in the research of marijuana. 

There are also many other reasons, other than medical, that marijuana would be beneficial if legalized nationally.  If it were to be legalized, it could be a stable source of additional tax revenues.  Drug dealers would also lose most, if not all, of their business.  Other than medicinal use, cannabis, which is the plant that produces the marijuana flower, has several industrial and commercial uses because over 25,000 products can be made from the plant.  Marijuana does not cause brain damage, genetic damage, or damage the immune system. Unlike alcohol, marijuana does not kill brain cells or induce violent behavior.  It has also been ranked the lowest for withdrawal symptoms, tolerance, dependence, and addiction.

Marijuana should be legalized for medicinal purposes for these reasons.  It could possibly be the answer to many medical problems and diseases.  The most effective way to successfully achieve nationwide medical marijuana legalization, is for citizens to become involved in the process and display the changes that they want to see.