Marijuana is the world’s most popular and widely available illegal drug. While distribution and recreational use of the drug is prohibited in the vast majority of the world, there has been a growing trend towards the lawful distribution of the drug through prescription and recommendation.
Marijuana is the world’s most popular and widely available illegal drug. While distribution and recreational use of the drug is prohibited in the vast majority of the world, there has been a growing trend towards the lawful distribution of the drug through prescription and recommendation.
Medical marijuana is a form of herbal therapy used to alleviate severe pain, nausea, depression and persistent muscle spasms. It has successfully been used to treat the symptoms of multiple sclerosis, spinal cord injuries or diseases, arthritis, epilepsy, anorexia, weight loss, cancer and chemotherapy, and HIV and AIDS.
A wide range of medical marijuana products available on the international market varies from smokable and edible marijuana to tinctures, salves and homeopathic remedies.
Currently, medical marijuana is legal in 18 US states, Canada, England, Austria, the Czech Republic, Germany and Spain. In Cameroon, AIDS and cancer patients are permitted to use the drug to treat their symptoms although growing cannabis for any reason is illegal.
In 2004, the Israeli military began using Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the active ingredient in cannabis, for experimental treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder in soldiers. In Netherlands, marijuana is bought and sold in the form of a legal prescription drug known as "Mediwiet", which is available at the pharmacy.
With so many useful therapeutic applications, the potential to reduce drug-related crime as well as the possible economic upside of marijuana legalization and taxation, this begs the question: why is it illegal?
