A three-page memo sent to prosecutors makes the illegal legal for medical marijuana patients and suppliers across the country.
The heated debates about the legalization of marijuana for medicinal purposes has been occurring for more than 40 years, but on Oct. 19, proponents of the plan received a welcomed addition. A memorandum was released stating that federal resources will not be used toward prosecuting individuals and their "caregivers" who are in compliance with state laws that allow for the medical use of marijuana.
Even though the document states that marijuana is a "dangerous drug," and the prosecution of illegal drug traffickers is still a priority in the U.S. Department of Justice, the prosecution of some individuals, such as those with serious illnesses, is not considered an "efficient use of the limited federal resources."
Dave Fried, director of Student Rights and Community Standards, said he's never had someone say they used marijuana for medical reasons, but he's heard other reasons.
"I've had some students say they used it to reduce stress, but regardless of usage, it is against state law and university policy."
According to the 2008 Ball State crime report, there were 31 drug law violations on campus and 30 violations in residence halls that year. Fried said it could be a variety of different things the students were cited for, however, there is one substance that remains common.
"Marijuana makes up 95 to 98 percent of what we've dealt with," he said. "That can include possession of paraphernalia, like having a pipe."
While cannabis has been used as a medicine for centuries according to the Society for Neuroscience, marijuana was classified as a Schedule I drug in 1970 because it was considered to have no medical use and a potential for abuse. This classification also means that doctors are unable to write prescriptions for it. However, the memorandum allows legitimate medical marijuana users and their suppliers protection from prosecution in certain states.
The 13 states that allow the use of medicinal marijuana include Alaska, Colorado, Hawaii, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont and Washington.
The Physical Side
- Marijuana is the most commonly abused drug in the United States, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse. The main, active chemical in marijuana, also known as cannabis sativa, is delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). When someone smokes marijuana, THC quickly passes from the lungs to other organs throughout the body. The "high" feeling that users experience is when the THC hits parts of the brain called cannabinoid receptors that start cellular reactions.
- Marijuana can cause impaired coordination, difficulty thinking and problem solving and may affect for weeks after the acute effects wear off, according to the NIDA. Research has also shown that long-term marijuana use can lead to problems with mental health, heart and lungs, as well as lead to addiction.
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