Table of Contents
Foreword 9
Introduction 12
Chapter 1 Should Marijuana Be a Medical Option?
Overview: The Debate About Marijuana as a Medicine Anna Wilde Mathews 17
Yes: Marijuana Should Be a Medical Option
Marijuana Has Been Proven to Effectively Treat Many Medical Conditions David Bearman 23
Studies Show Marijuana Can Be an Effective Medicine for Pain: Center for Medicinal Cannabis Research 35
No: Marijuana Should Not Be a Medical Option
Legalizing Medical Marijuana Is Not a Good Idea Mark L. Kraus 43
Crude Marijuana Is Not a Safe or Effective Medicine Henry I. Miller 48
Chapter 2 Is Medical Marijuana Dangerous?
Overview: The Debate About the Dangers of Medical Marijuana Jill U. Adams 54
Yes: Medical Marijuana Is Dangerous
Marijuana Is Dangerous for Its Users and Others: US Drug Enforcement Administration 61
Marijuana's Dangers Make It a Poor Candidate for Medicine: National Institute on Drug Abuse 73
No: Medical Marijuana Is Not Dangerous
The Objections to Medical Marijuana's Safety Are Unfounded: Marijuana Policy Project 78
Research Shows That Marijuana Is Not Dangerous Russ Belville 91
Chapter 3 Should Marijuana Use Be Regulated by the Government?
Overview: American Opinion on Marijuana Regulation Gary Langer 100
Congress Should Lift Legal Restrictions on Medical Marijuana: Marijuana Policy Project 103
Marijuana Should Be Regulated Like Other Prescription Medicines Paul Armentano 111
The Time Is Right to Abolish Federal Prohibition of Marijuana Mike Miliard 115
Chapter 4 What Are the Effects of State Medical Marijuana Laws?
Overview: State Medical Marijuana Laws Mark Eddy 127
State Legalization of Medical Marijuana Has Led to Misguided Local Regulation Travis Kavulla 134
Legal Medical Marijuana Has Caused Problems for Local Communities Bill Croke 140
The Fight Against Medical Marijuana Will Determine the Fate of Legalization Brian Doherty 145
Failing to Enforce Federal Marijuana Law Supports Mexican Criminals John Walters 158
Organizations to Contact 162
Bibliography 167
Index 171
