The Truth About Medical Marijuana
Medical marijuana is gaining momentum worldwide as a natural medicine that provides safe alternatives to treatment by toxic chemicals. The purpose of this website is to promote education in regards to medical marijuana and to provide an interactive platform for discussion and collaboration.
As advocates of all forms of marijuana legalization, it is our mission to provide a place for groups and organizations to come together as one, working towards a common goal. We pledge to assist in changing the medical marijuana laws nationwide and educating others about marijuana… prohibition must end. Together, our numbers cannot be denied, and it is together that we shall overcome.
Marijuana, whose botanical name is cannabis, has been used by humans for thousands of years. It was classified as an illegal drug by many countries in the 20th century. Over the past two decades, there has been a growing movement to legalize marijuana, primarily for medical purposes.
1. Legal in 15 States
Think you know it all about medical marijuana? You might be surprised to learn it’s already legal in 15 states. If you live in AK, CA, CO, HI, MI, MT, NV, NJ, NM, OR, RI, VT, VI, WA - with the proper permit, of course - you can smoke away what ails you.
2. Makes a Profit
Medical marijuana is big business. California’s medical marijuana industry raked in $2 billion in 2008 and generated $100 million in state sales taxes. Dispensaries, wellness clinics and delivery services all play a role in this booming biz.
Marijuana’s use has particularly increased among teenagers. According to a December 2011 government report, one out of every 15 high school students smokes marijuana on a near daily basis, a figure that has reached a 30-year peak even as use of alcohol, cigarettes and cocaine among teenagers continued a slow decline.
The popularity of marijuana reflects what researchers and drug officials say is a growing perception among teenagers that habitual marijuana use carries little risk of harm. That perception, experts say, is fueled in part by wider familiarity with medical marijuana and greater ease in obtaining it.
Proponents of marijuana have argued for years that the drug is safer than alcohol, both to individuals and society.
3. Therapeutic Powers of Pot
Cannabis contains hundreds of therapeutic compounds. At least 66 of these are cannabinoids, which are the basis for medical and scientific use of cannabis. Cannabinoids can serve as appetite stimulants, antiemetics, antispasmodics, and have some analgesic effects.
4. Many MDs Approve
A national survey found that nearly 50% of physicians support legalizing medical marijuana.
5. What It Helps
Marijuana may have beneficial effects for those with glaucoma, multiple sclerosis, fibromyalgia, chronic pain, cancer, arthritis, HIV, Tourette’s syndrome, gastrointestinal disorders, and Alzheimer’s disease, among other conditions.