Medical Marijuana

Table of Contents

Introduction
Pros
- Pro 1: Marijuana is beneficial as a medicine with fewer risks than opioids and other prescribed drugs.
- Pro 2: Marijuana is safer than some legal drugs and preferred by patients.
- Pro 3: Americans have agreed for decades that medical marijuana should be legal.
Cons
- Con 1: Medical legalization of marijuana makes a drug that is dangerous to children, teenagers, and young adults more readily available.
- Con 2: Marijuana has dangerous side effects.
- Con 3: While the effects of medical marijuana are studied, recreational marijuana should be decriminalized.
State-by-State Medical Marijuana Laws
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- D.C.
- Florida
- Hawaii
- Illinois
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Dakota
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
U.S. Surgeons General: Views on Medical Marijuana
- Vivek Murthy: Not Clearly Pro or Con
- Jerome Adams: Not Clearly Pro or Con
- Vivek Murthy: Not Clearly Pro or Con
- Regina M. Benjamin: Not Clearly Pro or Con
- Richard H. Carmona: Not Clearly Pro or Con
- David Satcher: Now Pro / Formerly Con
- M. Joycelyn Elders: Pro
- Antonia C. Novello: No Position Found
- C. Everett Koop: Con
- Julius B. Richmond: Not Clearly Pro or Con
- Jesse L. Steinfeld: Pro
Votes and Polls on Medical Marijuana
- 2022
  - Dallas Morning News & University of Texas at Tyler: Sep. 6-13, 2022
  - Nebraska Annual Social Indicators Survey, published in the Journal of Drug Issues: May 17, 2022
  - BenchMark Research: April 8-11, 2022
  - WGHP, The Hill, & Emerson College: April 2-4, 2022
- 2021
  - Pew Research Center: Apr. 5-11, 2021
  - Starboard Communications: Feb. 16-19, 2021
  - Starboard Communications: Jan. 29-31, 2021
- 2020
  - Wyoming Survey and Analysis Center (WYSAC) at the University of Wyoming: Dec. 7, 2020
  - Nexstar Media Group & Emerson College: Sep. 2020
  - Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky (conducted by the Institute for Policy Research at the University of Cincinnati) Poll: Feb. 2020
- 2019
  - Pew Research Center: Sep. 3-15, 2019
  - Axios and SurveyMonkey: June 6-9, 2019
  - Quinnipiac University: Mar. 1-4, 2019
  - Benchmark Research: Jan. 2019
- 2018
  - Mason-Dixon Polling & Strategy: Dec. 6-10, 2018
  - Missouri Scout: Aug. 8-9, 2018
  - Quinnipiac University: Apr. 26, 2018
  - Dan Jones & Associates: Feb. 9-16, 2018
  - Selzer and Co. of Des Moines: Jan. 28-31, 2018
- 2017
  - Mason-Dixon Polling & Strategy: Dec. 6-19, 2017
  - Elon University: Apr. 18-21, 2017
  - Fairbank, Maslin, Maullin, Metz & Associates: Feb. 17-19, 2017
- 2016
  - News 13 (Orlando) & Bay News 9 (Tampa Bay): Mar. 9, 2016
  - UtahPolicy.com & Dan Jones and Associates: Feb. 10-15, 2016
- 2015
  - UtahPolicy.com & Dan Jones and Associates: Nov. 5-15, 2015
  - Harris Poll: May 7, 2015
  - Talk Business & Politics, Hendrix College, & Impact Management Group: Aug. 20-23, 2015
  - Quinnipiac University: Mar. 17-28, 2015
  - Quinnipiac University: Mar. 17-28, 2015
  - Quinnipiac University: Mar. 17-28, 2015
  - UtahPolicy.com & Dan Jones and Associates: Mar. 3-5, 2015
  - Libertas Institute and Drug Policy Project of Utah: Feb. 26-28, 2015
  - Des Moines Register Iowa Poll: Feb. 15-18, 2015
- 2014
  - University of Wyoming Department of Political Science, Wyoming Public Radio, & Wyoming Survey and Analysis Center: Dec. 3, 2014
  - Florida General Election: Nov. 4, 2014
  - Bob Graham Center for Public Service, University of Florida Bureau of Economic and Business Research, Tampa Bay Times, & Bay News 9: Sep. 4, 2014
  - Quinnipiac University: May 5, 2014
- 2013
  - Quinnipiac University: Nov. 21, 2013
  - New England Journal of Medicine: May 30, 2013
  - WMUR Granite State Poll & University of New Hampshire Survey Center: Feb. 12, 2013
  - USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts, and Sciences & Los Angeles Times: Feb. 12, 2013
- 2012
  - Reason/Rupe: Sep. 13-17, 2012
  - Quinnipiac University: Mar. 21, 2012
- 2011
  - CBS News: Oct. 28-31, 2011
  - Quinnipiac University: Mar. 10, 2011
- 2010
  - Hawkeye Poll Cooperative at the University of Iowa: Nov. 3-11, 2010
  - Arizona Election: Nov. 2, 2010
  - South Dakota Election: Nov. 2, 2010
  - Gallup Organization: Oct. 7-10, 2010
  - KCCI News Channel 8: June 3, 2010
  - Associated Press & CNBC: Apr. 7-12, 2010
  - Des Moines Register: Feb. 16, 2010
  - ABC News & Washington Post: Jan. 15, 2010
- 2009
- 2008
  - Michigan Election: Nov. 4, 2008
- 2007
- 2006
  - South Dakota Election: Nov. 7, 2006
- 2005
  - Chamberlain Research Consultants for Marijuana Policy Project (MPP): July 2005
  - Mason-Dixon Polling & Marijuana Policy Project: June 2005
- 2004
  - Montana Election: Nov. 2, 2004
  - AARP National Poll by ICR Poll: Nov. 2004
  - Scripps Research Center in Abilene for Texans For Medical Marijuana: Nov. 2004
  - Field Poll: Jan. 2004
- 2003
  - Zogby International: Aug. 2003
- 2002
  - Harris Interactive for Time Magazine: Oct. 2002
  - Social Research Laboratory: Sep. 2002
  - Lucas Organization and Arlington Research Group: Mar. 2002
  - Lucas Organization and Arlington Research Group: Feb. 2002
  - Lucas Organization and Arlington Research Group: Feb. 2002
  - Lucas Organization and Arlington Research Group: Feb. 2002
  - Lucas Organization and Arlington Research Group: Feb. 2002
  - Lucas Organization and Arlington Research Group: Feb. 2002
  - Lucas Organization and Arlington Research Group: Feb. 2002
  - Lucas Organization and Arlington Research Group: Feb. 2002
  - Lucas Organization and Arlington Research Group: Feb. 2002
  - Lucas Organization and Arlington Research Group: Feb. 2002
  - Lucas Organization and Arlington Research Group: Feb. 2002
  - Lucas Organization and Arlington Research Group: Feb. 2002
  - Chamberlain Research: Feb. 2002
  - Center for Substance Abuse Research, University of Maryland: Jan. 2002
  - Gonzales/Arscott Research: Jan. 2002
- 2001
  - Zogby International for NORML: Dec. 2001
  - University of Arkansas Survey Research Center: Oct. 2001
  - Virginia Tech Center for Survey Research: June 2001
  - Gonzales/Arscott Research: May 2001
  - Researchers at Rhode Island Hospital for presentation to American Society of Addiction Medicine: Apr. 2001
  - Pew Research Center: Mar. 2001
  - Research Polling, Inc.: Mar. 2001
  - Lazarus Strategic Services: Jan. 2001
  - Creative Broadcast Systems, Inc.: Jan. 2001
- 2000
  - Nevada Election: Nov. 2000
  - Colorado Election: Nov. 2000
  - Denver Post, 9 News, & KOA Radio: Oct. 2000
  - Denver Rocky Mountain News & News 4: Sep. 2000
  - Mason-Dixon Research Poll: Sep. 2000
  - QMark Research & Polling on behalf of The Drug Policy Forum of Hawaii: Feb. 2000
  - Center for Substance Abuse Research at University of Maryland: Jan. 2000
Historical Timeline
- 2900 BC-1599 AD
  - 2900 BC - Chinese Emperor Fu Hsi References Marijuana as a Popular Medicine
  - 2700 BC - Chinese Emperor Shen Nung Said to Discover Healing Properties of Marijuana
  - 1450 BC - Book of Exodus References Holy Anointing Oil Made from Cannabis
  - 1500 BC - Earliest Written Reference to Medical Marijuana in Chinese Pharmacopeia
  - 1213 BC - Egyptians Use Cannabis for Glaucoma, Inflammation, and Enemas
  - 1000 BC - Bhang, a Drink of Cannabis and Milk, Is Used in India as an Anesthetic
  - 700 BC - Medical Use of Marijuana in the Middle East Recorded in the Venidad
  - 600 BC - Indian Medicine Treatise Cites Cannabis as a Cure for Leprosy
  - 200 BC - Medical Cannabis Used in Ancient Greece
  - 1 AD - Ancient Chinese Text Recommends Marijuana for More Than 100 Ailments
  - 30 - Jesus Allegedly Uses Anointing Oil Made with Cannabis
  - 70 - Roman Medical Text Cites Cannabis to Treat Earaches and Suppress Sexual Longing
  - 79 - Pliny the Elder Writes about Medicinal Properties of Cannabis Plant
  - 200 - Chinese Surgeon Hua T’o Uses Cannabis Resin and Wine as Anesthetic
  - 800-900 - Cannabis Used as Medicine in Arabic World by Some, Labeled "Lethal Poison" by Others
  - 1500 - Muslim Doctors Use Marijuana to Reduce Sexuality
  - 1538 - Hemp Used During Middle Ages
  - 1578 - Chinese Medical Text Describes Medical Uses for Marijuana
- 1600-1899
  - 1600s - William Shakespeare May Have Smoked Cannabis
  - 1611-1762 - Jamestown Settlers Bring Marijuana to North America
  - 1621 - Popular English Mental Health Book Recommends Cannabis to Treat Depression
  - 1652 - Herbalist Nicholas Culpeper Writes about Medical Uses for Hemp
  - 1745-1775 - George Washington Grows Hemp
  - 1774-1824 - Thomas Jefferson Grows Hemp at Monticello
  - 1799 - Napoleon’s Forces Bring Marijuana from Egypt to France
  - 1840 - Medical Marijuana Comes to United Kingdom via William O’Shaughnessy and Reportedly Used by Queen Victoria for Menstrual Cramps
  - 1840s - Marijuana Becomes Mainstream Medicine in the West
  - 1850 - Marijuana Added to US Pharmacopeia
  - 1889 - Article in The Lancet Outlines Use of Cannabis for Opium Withdrawal
  - 1893-1894 - Indian Hemp Commission Mentions Several Medical Uses of Cannabis
- 1900-1949
  - 1900 - Cannabis Used for Asthma, Bronchitis, and Loss of Appetite in South Asia
  - 1906 - Pure Food and Drugs Act Requires Labeling of Medicine, Including Cannabis
  - 1911 - Massachusetts Becomes First State to Outlaw Cannabis
  - Jan. 1915 - President Wilson Signs Harrison Act, the Model for Future Drug Regulation Legislation
  - 1915-1927 - 10 States Pass Marijuana Prohibition Laws
  - 1918 - US Pharmaceutical Farms Grow 60,000 Pounds of Cannabis Annually
  - Feb. 19, 1925 - League of Nations Sign Multilateral Treaty Restricting Cannabis Use to Scientific and Medical Only
  - 1928 - Cannabis Added to the UK’s "Dangerous Drugs Act"
  - 1930s - Use of the Word "Marijuana" Increases in the US
  - 1930s - American Pharmaceutical Firms Sell Extracts of Marijuana as Medicines
  - 1930 - Harry J. Anslinger Appointed Commissioner of the Federal Bureau of Narcotics
  - 1933 - William Randolph Hearst Plays Role in Denouncing Marijuana
  - 1936 - Bureau of Narcotics Urges Federal Action to Control Marijuana
  - 1936 - New Medications Supplant Marijuana as Treatment for Pain
  - 1936 - Reefer Madness Film Cautions against Marijuana
  - May 4, 1937 - American Medical Association Opposes the Proposed Marihuana Tax Act and Supports Research on Medical Cannabis
  - Oct. 1937 - "Marihuana Tax Act" Leads to Decline in Marijuana Prescriptions
  - Oct. 2, 1937 - First Marijuana Seller Convicted under US Federal Law Is Arrested
  - 1938 - Canada Prohibits Cannabis Cultivation
  - 1942 - Marijuana Removed from US Pharmacopeia
  - 1938-1944 - LaGuardia Report Concludes Marijuana Less Dangerous Than Commonly Thought
- 1950-1969
  - 1951 - Boggs Act Establishes Minimum Prison Sentences for Simple Possession
  - 1956 - Inclusion of Marijuana in Narcotics Control Act Leads to Stricter Penalties for Marijuana Possession
  - 1961 - UN Convention Provides Basis for Future Federal Prohibition of Marijuana
  - 1964 - THC, Main Psychoactive Component of Cannabis, First Identified and Synthesized
  - 1968 - University of Mississippi Becomes Official Grower of Marijuana for Federal Government
  - Apr. 8, 1968 - President Johnson Creates Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs (BNDD)
  - Nov. 1, 1968 - UK Wootton Report Finds Cannabis Is Less Dangerous Than Alcohol, Other Drugs
- 1970-1989
  - 1970 - Controlled Substances Act Classifies Marijuana as a Drug with "No Accepted Medical Use"
  - 1970 - NORML (National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws) Founded
  - 1971 - UK Introduces Drug Classification System
  - May 1, 1971 - Nixon Says He Will Not Legalize Marijuana Despite Shafer Commission
  - June 17, 1971 - President Nixon Declares War on Drugs
  - 1972 - National Commission on Marijuana and Drug Abuse ("Shafer Commission") Recommends Decriminalizing Marijuana
  - 1972 - NORML Petitions DEA to Reschedule Marijuana
  - 1973 - Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) Established
  - 1974 - NIDA Established, Placed in Charge of Contracts to Grow Marijuana for Research Purposes
  - 1976 - Marijuana Decriminalized in the Netherlands
  - Nov. 24, 1976 - Federal Court Rules Robert Randall’s Use of Marijuana a "Medical Necessity"
  - 1978 - Federal Government IND Compassionate Use Program Supplies Patients with Marijuana
  - 1978 - New Mexico Passes First State Law Recognizing Medical Value of Marijuana
  - 1980 - Marinol, a Synthetic Version of THC, and Smoked Marijuana Tested on Cancer Patients
  - 1981 - Legal Medical Marijuana Patients Form Organization to Help Others Obtain Access
  - 1981-1985 - US Gov Sells Marinol Patent to Unimed and FDA Approves It for Treatment of Nausea
  - May 1985 - Marinol Approved by FDA
  - 1986 - Anti-Drug Abuse Act Increases Penalties for Marijuana Possession and Dealing
  - Sep. 6, 1988 - DEA Judge Francis Young Recommends Marijuana Be Placed in Schedule II
  - Dec. 30, 1989 - DEA Administrator Overrules Francis Young and Orders That Cannabis Remain a Schedule I Controlled Substance
- 1990-1999
  - 1990 - Scientists Discover Cannabinoid Receptors
  - 1991 - Court Ruling Highlights Application of Medical Necessity Defense
  - June 1991 - Federal Government Suspends IND Compassionate Use Medical Marijuana Program
  - July 1991 - 53% of Oncologists Surveyed Say Cannabis Should Be Available by Prescription
  - Nov. 5, 1991 - First Medical Marijuana Initiative Passed in San Francisco
  - 1992 - Scientists Discover First Endocannabinoid
  - Mar. 19, 1992 - IND Compassionate Use Program Officially Terminated; 13 Existing Patients Continue to Get Government Marijuana
  - Mar. 1993 - American Medical Student Association Unanimously Endorses Rescheduling of Marijuana
  - Feb. 18, 1994 - Final Decision in 1972 Court Battle over Marijuana Rescheduling Keeps Marijuana in Schedule I
  - Mid-July 1994 - Assistant Secretary of Health Announces Final Decision Not to Reopen IND Compassionate Use Medical Marijuana Program
  - July 10, 1995 - Second Petition to Reschedule Marijuana Filed
  - Nov. 5, 1996 - California Becomes First State to Legalize Medical Marijuana
  - Jan. 30, 1997 - New England Journal of Medicine Publishes Editorial Calling for Marijuana to Be Rescheduled
  - Feb. 19 and 20, 1997 - NIH Says More Study Needed to Assess Potential of Medical Marijuana
  - Sep. 1998 - Congress Prevents Implementation of Medical Marijuana Law in DC
  - Oct. 29, 1998 - Presidents Ford, Carter, and Bush Urge Voters to Reject Medical Marijuana
  - Nov. 3, 1998 - Alaska, Oregon, and Washington Become 2nd, 3rd, and 4th States to Legalize Medical Marijuana
  - Nov. 11, 1998 - UK House of Lords Committee Recommends Legalizing Medical Marijuana
  - Jan. 1997-Mar. 1999 - Institute of Medicine (IOM) Conducts Comprehensive Study on Medical Effects of Marijuana
  - June 2, 1999 - Alaska Makes Enrollment in State Patient Registry Mandatory
  - July 1999 - Marinol Moved to Schedule III to Increase Availability to Patients
  - Aug. 1999 - Health Canada Announces Funding for Medical Research on Marijuana
  - Nov. 2, 1999 - Maine Becomes Fifth State to Legalize Medical Marijuana
- 2000-2004
  - June 14, 2000 - Hawaii Becomes Sixth State to Legalize Medical Marijuana
  - Nov. 7, 2000 - Colorado and Nevada Become Seventh and Eighth States to Legalize Medical Marijuana
  - May 14, 2001 - Supreme Court Rules "There Is No Medical Necessity Exception to the Controlled Substances Act"
  - Oct. 1, 2001 - Nevada Medical Marijuana Law Amended to Create State Registry
  - Jan. 2002 - Only Study on IND Patients Finds That Medical Marijuana Improves Their Quality of Life
  - Sep. 2002 - DC Court Blocks Proposed Medical Marijuana Initiative
  - Oct. 29, 2002 - Court Rules in Conant v. Walters That Government Cannot Revoke Physician Licenses Solely for Recommending Medical Marijuana
  - July 23, 2003 - US House of Representatives Rejects Amendment to Stop Federal Raids on Medical Marijuana Patients
  - Aug. 26, 2003 - First Canadian Patient to Receive Government-Grown Marijuana
  - Sep. 1, 2003 - Dutch Pharmacies to Supply Medical Marijuana
  - Oct. 7, 2003 - US Government Receives Cannabinoids Patent
  - 2004 - UK Moves Cannabis to Class C, with Lower Penalties
  - Jan. 1, 2004 - California Places Limits on Medical Marijuana Possession
  - Aug. 5, 2004 - DEA Instructs HHS to Review Marijuana for Possible Rescheduling
  - Nov. 2, 2004 - Montana Becomes 10th State to Legalize Medical Marijuana
  - Dec. 18, 2004 - AARP Poll Finds That 72% of Seniors Support Medical Marijuana
  - May 26, 2004 - Vermont Becomes Ninth State to Legalize Medical Marijuana
- 2005-2009
  - June 6, 2005 - US Supreme Court Rules Congress May Ban Marijuana Use in Gonzalez v. Raich
  - July 8 - July 18, 2005 - California Suspends Then Resumes Medical Marijuana ID Card Program
  - Dec. 12, 2005 - Federal Agents Execute Widespread Raid on Medical Marijuana Dispensaries in California
  - Jan. 1, 2006 - Oregon’s Medical Marijuana Law Amended to Exclude Affirmative Defense for Exceeding Possession Limits
  - Jan. 3, 2006 - Rhode Island Becomes 11th State to Legalize Medical Marijuana after Legislature Overrides Governor’s Veto
  - Mar. 16, 2006 - DEA Busts Marijuana-Laced Candy Manufacturers
  - Apr. 20, 2006 - FDA Confirms Opposition to Smoked Marijuana for Medical Purposes
  - June 21, 2006 - Presbyterian Church Approves Resolution to Support Medical Marijuana
  - Feb. 12, 2007 - DEA Administrative Law Judge Recommends Allowing New Source of Marijuana for Research
  - Mar. 13, 2007 - New Mexico Becomes 12th State to Legalize Medical Marijuana
  - Feb. 15, 2008 - Nation’s 2nd Largest Physician Group Calls for Marijuana Reclassification and Supports Nonsmoked Forms of Medical Marijuana
  - May 2008 - Cannabis Returned to Class B in the UK
  - May 22, 2008 - California Court Rules Possession Limits on Medical Marijuana Unconstitutional
  - Aug. 25, 2008 - California Attorney General Issues State Guidelines for Medical Marijuana
  - Sep. 2008 - Two Pounds of Cannabis Found Buried in 2,700-year-old Chinese Tomb
  - Nov. 4, 2008 - Michigan Becomes 13th State to Legalize Medical Marijuana
  - Jan. 12, 2009 - DEA Rejects Judge’s Ruling to Allow New Source of Marijuana for Research
  - Feb. 25, 2009 - US Attorney General Says Raids on Medical Marijuana Clinics Will Not Continue
  - Oct. 19, 2009 - US Attorney General Announces That DOJ Will Not Prioritize Prosecution of Legal Medical Marijuana Patients
  - Nov. 3, 2009 - Maine’s Medical Marijuana Law Amended to Provide for Dispensaries
  - Nov. 10, 2009 - AMA Softens Position on Scheduling of Marijuana
- 2010-2015
  - Jan. 11, 2010 - New Jersey Becomes 14th State to Legalize Medical Marijuana
  - Jan. 21, 2010 - California Supreme Court Affirms Ruling That Possession Limits Are Unconstitutional
  - Feb. 17, 2010 - Iowa Board of Pharmacy Recommends Rescheduling of Marijuana
  - Apr. 1, 2010 - Washington Expands List of Medical Professionals Authorized to Recommend Medical Marijuana
  - June 4, 2010 - Judge Rules against Los Angeles Marijuana Dispensaries
  - June 7, 2010 - Colorado Increases Oversight of Medical Marijuana Dispensaries and Physician Recommendations
  - July 27, 2010 - US Dept of Veterans Affairs Relaxes Marijuana Rules for Vets
  - July 27, 2010 - Medical Marijuana Becomes Legal in DC
  - Nov. 2, 2010 - South Dakota Voters Reject Medical Marijuana Measure
  - Nov. 2, 2010 - Arizona Becomes 15th State to Legalize Medical Marijuana
  - Mar. 1, 2011 - DEA Places Five Synthetic Cannabinoids into Schedule I, Citing "Imminent Hazard"
  - May 13, 2011 - Delaware Becomes 16th State to Legalize Medical Marijuana
  - Mar. 23 - May 16, 2011 - US Attorneys Send Threatening Letters to States with Legal Medical Marijuana
  - July 1, 2011 - Montana Law Requiring State Residency to Become a Medical Marijuana Patient Takes Effect
  - July 8, 2011 - DEA Denies 2002 Request to Reclassify Marijuana out of Restrictive Schedule I Category
  - Aug. 7, 2011 - Israeli Government Arranges to Supply Medical Marijuana
  - Aug. 8, 2011 - DEA Again Rejects Craker’s Application to Grow Marijuana for Government
  - Nov. 2011 - Study Finds Legal Medical Marijuana Reduces Fatal Car Accidents
  - Dec. 1, 2011 - Medical Marijuana Reclassification Sought by WA and RI Governors
  - Feb. 28, 2012 - Federal Judge Dismisses Lawsuit against Government for Raids on Medical Marijuana Clinics
  - May 11, 2012 - US Court of Appeals Hears Oral Arguments in Lyle Craker’s Federal Lawsuit against the DEA
  - May 31, 2012 - Connecticut Becomes 17th State to Legalize Medical Marijuana
  - July 24, 2012 - LA City Council Bans Medical Marijuana Dispensaries in Unanimous Vote
  - Oct. 16, 2012 - Federal Court Hears Case to Change Schedule I Status of Marijuana
  - Nov. 6, 2012 - Massachusetts Becomes 18th State to Legalize Medical Marijuana
  - Jan. 22, 2013 - US Appeals Court Denies Medical Marijuana Reclassification Challenge
  - July 23, 2013 - New Hampshire Becomes 19th State to Legalize Medical Marijuana
  - Aug. 1, 2013 - Illinois Becomes 20th State to Legalize Medical Marijuana
  - Aug. 8, 2013 - Dr. Sanjay Gupta Comes out in Favor of Medical Marijuana
  - Aug. 29, 2013 - Justice Department Will Not Challenge State Marijuana Laws
  - Feb. 14, 2014 - New Federal Guidelines Allow Banks to Provide Financial Services to Legal Marijuana Sellers
  - Apr. 14, 2014 - Maryland Becomes 21st State to Legalize Medical Marijuana
  - May 29, 2014 - Minnesota Becomes 22nd State to Legalize Medical Marijuana
  - July 5, 2014 - New York Becomes 23rd State to Legalize Medical Marijuana
  - Oct. 28, 2014 - US Justice Department Will Not Enforce Federal Marijuana Laws on Native American Reservations
  - Dec. 17, 2014 - New Law Bans Justice Department from Using Funds against Medical Marijuana in States Where It Is Legal
  - May 3, 2015 - Governor of Puerto Rico Legalizes Medical Marijuana
  - June 22, 2015 - Federal Government Removes Obstacle to Marijuana Research
- 2016-present
  - Apr. 4, 2016 - DEA Considers Moving Marijuana to Less-Restrictive Drug Schedule
  - Apr. 18, 2016 - Pennsylvania Becomes 24th US State to Legalize Medical Marijuana
  - June 8, 2016 - Ohio Becomes 25th US State to Legalize Medical Marijuana
  - Aug. 11, 2016 - DEA Declines to Reschedule Marijuana but Opens Door to Research
  - Nov. 8, 2016 - Arkansas, Florida, North Dakota Vote to Legalize Medical Marijuana
  - Apr. 19, 2017 - West Virginia Becomes 29th US State to Legalize Medical Marijuana
  - June 19, 2017 - Mexico Legalizes Medical Marijuana
  - Jan. 4, 2018 - US Attorney General Ends Obama-Era Marijuana Guidelines
  - June 25, 2018 - FDA Approves Its First Marijuana-Based Drug
  - June 26, 2018 - Oklahoma Becomes 30th US State to Legalize Medical Marijuana
  - Dec. 20, 2018 - President Trump Signs Bill Legalizing Industrial Hemp
  - Dec. 25, 2018 - Thailand Legalizes Medical Marijuana
  - Sep. 19, 2019 - US Government Allocates $3M for Research on CBD and Pain
  - Nov. 3, 2020 - Mississippi and South Dakota Legalize Medical Marijuana
  - Dec. 2, 2020 - United Nations Commission Reclassifies Medical Marijuana
  - Dec. 4, 2020 - US House Passes Marijuana Decriminalization Bill
  - May 14, 2021 - Mississippi Medical Marijuana Effort Thwarted by Outdated Constitutional Requirement
  - May 14, 2021 - DEA to Allow More Domestic Sources for Cannabis Research
  - July 16, 2021 - New Study: Cannabis Likely Originated in Northwest China
  - Feb. 2, 2022 - Mississippi 37th State to Legalize Medical Marijuana
  - Apr. 1, 2022 - US House Passes Bill to Decriminalize Marijuana
  - May 8, 2022 - Thai Government to Give Away One Million Free Cannabis Plants in June 2022
  - Oct. 6, 2022 - President Biden Pardons Thousands with Federal Marijuana Possession Convictions
  - Mar. 2023 - "Father of Cannabis Research" Raphael Mechoulam Dies
  - Mar. 31, 2023 - Kentucky Legalizes Medical Marijuana
  - Aug. 29, 2023 - HHS Recommends Rescheduling Marijuana
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