The drug marijuana is perhaps the most widely controversial drug in America. Since the early 1900s, marijuana – or cannabis, as it is officially known to the U.S. government – has been regulated, taxed, and eventually illegalized. Every since the illegalization of marijuana, however, movements have been in place to have the drug legalized for multiple reasons.

Legalizing marijuana has been an ongoing struggle in the United States. At a federal level, the drug is still illegal for use in any form, and is not approved for any medical use. This has been common law since 1970, when an act was passed in Congress establishing it as a Schedule I drug. This means that anyone in possession of marijuana can be held on drug charges, regardless of the amount or reason for possession.

However, some state governments – such as those in California and Hawaii – have legalized certain uses of marijuana. In these states, the drug can be prescribed by a doctor to treat a medical condition. However, federal law still dictates that someone in possession of marijuana can be criminally charged. This makes cannabis laws confusing in some areas of the country, but the general rule is that federal law overrides state or common law. Many individuals, medical communities and other activist groups have fought to get marijuana legalized at a federal level. Arguments for the legalization of marijuana include:

• Medical uses. Some significant research dictates that marijuana is highly effective when used to treat certain medical conditions. It is especially effective against pain and nausea.
• No adverse effects. Despite the federal government’s claim, marijuana has often been shown to have very limited, if any, adverse effects on the human body, even through prolonged use. There has also never been evidence of a marijuana overdose in the entire history of the drug – something Tylenol, and other readily available medicines does not share.
• No addiction. Despite being a Schedule I drug, marijuana seems to display no characteristics of being physically addictive.

Despite the many arguments made for marijuana legalization, the issue is still highly debated and laws are continually proposed, discussed or shut down at state and federal levels. Health effects of the drug are still being researched, as well as its psychological implications on individuals. Financial and market concerns also keep marijuana legalization in a tricky place. Supporters of legalized marijuana can join groups like NORML, which support marijuana law reform.