The United States of America is one of the countries that allow the use of marijuana or cannabis for medical purposes. However, only some of its states have embraced the need for marijuana centers.

Marijuana centers particularly in California, can now heave a sigh of relief.

Marijuana centers in the state of California were used to be under fire with the previous adminstration of Pres. George W. Bush even though they have complied with existing state laws. The current administration, through Attorney General Eric Holder announced that the said marijuana centers will not be raided by the Drug Enforcement Administration so long as they follow the California law.

In the state of Rhode Island, the senate is about to vote to on a bill to license at least three marijuana center or “compassion centers” to be dispensaries of marijuana on demand. Meaning if the law is approved, patient can get their marijuana for treatment directly from these centers.
Establishing the so-called “compassion centers” would allow the hundreds of Rhode Islanders legally allowed to use the drug under a relatively new state law to safely and affordably purchase it, supporters say.
Though lawmakers in 2006 legalized use of medical marijuana for those who suffer from certain chronic, debilitating illnesses, they never provided a legal avenue to obtain the drug, drawing concerns about safety and accessibility.
Thursday night’s vote, which came just 24 hours after the full Senate OK’d the measure, was lauded by patients and legislative supporters. “This is about safety,” said patient Ellen Smith, of Scituate. “When you’re feeling sick, the last thing you want to worry about is where you will safely get your medicine.”
“Our intent was not to send people out to deal with drug dealers,” said Rep. Joseph McNamara, D-Warwick, who chairs the House Health, Education and Welfare Committee that approved the bill. “…This legislation allows people to have a safe, viable and regulated alternative to that. In the past, we had some questions related to the security of the compassion centers which I think have been addressed.”
But one main hurdle remains. Gov. Don Carcieri has repeatedly vetoed bills creating or expanding the state’s medical marijuana program, saying it promotes illegal drug use and conflicts with federal law.

At present, marijuana centers are only authorized to issue identification cards to patients who are certified by physicians to use marijuana as treatment for their debilitating or chronic disease.

Other states that have legalized or decriminalized the medical use of marijuana in some extent are
Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Maine, Nevada, Oregon, Washington and Maryland. But still, federal law totally bans the use of the substance.

There seem to be a growing sentiment among Americans that laws on marijuana use should be relaxed in the light of the medical benefits it brings to a number of sick Americans. It also seems to suggest that the Americans are slowly considering the war against the illegal use of marijuana as a failure.

Marijuana and its medical wonders in treating various conditions immensely helped in removing the usual negative correlation of marijuana to substance abuse. In fact, studies are being undergone to use marijuana in response to the ongoing pandemic on AH1N1 virus.

Marijuana has already been found effective in treating the likes of AIDS, anorexia, cancer, severe nausea and other serious medical conditions where marijuana provides relief. People with this disease can come to the California medical marijuana program so that they can be issued medical marijuana identification card.

The state of California is one of those who recognized marijuana’s medical significance and has created a medical marijuana program. This program was established so that qualified patients or their caregivers would voluntarily register.

The card authorizes the patient to use marijuana as treatment for their disease. Apart from the patient themselves, their caregivers may also be issued the identification card by the medical marijuana program. Confidentiality of personal information regarding the program is imposed.

Applicants for this identification card need only to provide proof of identity, residency in California and of course the medical proof that they are to be treated with marijuana.

However, there is one thing that the medical marijuana program cannot do for these patients. The marijuana program is not authorized by law to provide the marijuana to be used by the patient. Neither does it allowed to provide information about where to get one.

Initiatives are now being done to address the need for a safe and regulated dispensation of marijuana. The state of California proposes a law where in the federal and state will implement a plan for marijuana distribution to patients.

This proposed measures will significantly increase the function of the medical marijuana programs. When this bill is enacted into law, the program would not be limited to just identifying those patients who need marijuana as treatment by just issuing identification cards.

In the past, the use of marijuana is strongly opposed and prohibited. Nowadays, perhaps because of its medical importance and applications, citizens seem likely to agree in relaxing existing laws with regards to marijuana use. Lobbyist like the Marijuana Project Policy has been exerting its campaign to legislation. Even California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger thinks its time to debate the legalization of marijuana not just for medical purposes but also for recreation.

But before that, patients are hoping that medical marijuana program such as that of California be empowered to dispense regulated amount of marijuana in order for them to access the drug whenever their treatment requires one.

They are counting on lawmakers to prioritize their plight. Once, the program is allowed to directly dispense marijuana on demand, only then can the medical marijuana program can really be useful and be considered a success.

Amidst the growing number of initiatives legalizing the selling of marijuana in the United States, it is an undeniable fact that addiction to the “weed” is posing various problems to the society. Thus, it is only imperative that an effective marijuana program need be established for those who suffer dependence or addiction to it.

A marijuana program is aimed at liberating those person that have been so dependent to the “weed” that they have become a threat not only to their own health and well-being but also to the people within their circles. Programs of this kind can be found in many states of the United States. The states of California and Oregon, as an example, have their own respective marijuana programs.

The first problem encountered by those wanting to help marijuana-dependents is to convince them to enter into a marijuana program. It is fairly difficult for someone to admit to themselves that they are drug dependents or worse, drug addicts.

The common misconception of pot smokers is that they can stop any time they want to. They would naturally point out that a marijuana program is unnecessary. Sadly, this kind of thinking will only make things worse.

Parents may have no other choice but to force upon their sons or daughters to enter a program. This would appear good but only acceptance from the user himself/herself is the best step towards complete rehabilitation.

Like any other drug rehabilitation program, a marijuana program starts with the detox phase wherein the drug is pushed out of the body system. This phase could be gradual or drastic. In either case, this phase would be very painful to the person undergoing the program. But they need to go through it until their body system grows accustomed to being marijuana-free. Support and encouragement from loved ones play a pivotal role so that the patient can realize for himself/herself that living without marijuana can be and will be achieved.

The next phase is finding out the reason behind the person’s addiction. Maybe the addiction was brought about by an ugly divorce, bankruptcy in business and any other reasons. Obviously, the patient saw marijuana abuse as an escape from the problem. Trained professionals will work with the patients to make them see that marijuana is never a solution. Rather, it only makes things worse.

Convince anyone you know that are addicted to pot to join a marijuana program. If you can’t convince him/her alone, you should seek the help of a counsellor. With a counsellor at your side, he or she can aid you into putting sense into the mind of the marijuana-user. Your genuine concern might persuade him to enter the program and the counsellor can recommend where to undergo it. You also need to assure that you will be there to support every step of the program.

This is the only way you can help a marijuana addicts and save them from slowly destroying their lives and those close to them. And the time to act is now.

In the United States, marijuana is recognized by the FDA as a treatment for various medical conditions. Among those relieved or treated by marijuana are nausea and vomiting, anorexia and weight loss, painful conditions, movement disorders, asthma, glaucoma and even HIV. Although the latter is not yet completely confirmed, A medicinal marijuana program was institutionalized for patients suffering from those condition.

The medicinal marijuana program identifies citizens who will be allowed to use marijuana for their condition subject to medical recommendation. In this program, patients and their caregivers will be issued medical marijuana identification cards that allow them to possess, grow, transport and/or use medical marijuana, like in the state of California. Patients are allowed by the state to possess up to 12 marijuana plants and 2.5 ounces of the drug in a usable form. However, federal law still prohibit selling the drug.

There are eleven states of the United States that allows marijuana use for medical treatment and have their respective medicinal marijuana programs. But the Drug Enforcement Administration is against the buying of marijuana. Therein lies the problem. The state allows a person the use of marijuana to treat their condition but the DEA can arrest them if they purchase the drug.

Headlines in the past week or so put the medicinal marijuana program into the spotlight.

California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger feels that the time is right to discuss legalizing the use of marijuana for recreational purposes in California.

Lawmakers of Rhode Island’s are proposing a bill that would address the prevailing conflict between the state law and the federal law with regards to the dispensation of marijuana for medicinal purposes. The intention is to discourage patients from purchasing the drug from the streets and drug dealers. Likewise, the move is expected to somehow lessen the prevailing drug problem. Should the bill passed into law, medicinal marijuana programs would have a clearer authority in dispensing the drug to state-recognized patients.

However, there are other lawmakers opposed to the bill. They think that enacting the bill into law would only contribute to the illegal drug trade or allow some sectors to profit from it. Proponents of the bill are optimistic that the growing sentiments among citizens in relaxing laws pertaining to marijuana use would paved the way for its enactment into law.

Caught between these critical debates are the patients who wish to be treated. They would definitely prefer a streamlined system wherein the drug would be accessible anytime they need it. A well-regulated “compassion centers” will afford patients a safe and legal place to get the marijuana they medically need.

Marijuana use for recreational purposes is prohibited in most countries in the world. There are a few countries that allow its limited use for medicinal purposes like the United States. Some states of the US have set up marijuana centers or otherwise known as compassion centers to control and regulate the use of marijuana.

Marijuana centers are authorized by law to allow marijuana use of those who are prescribed to use it for medicinal purposes. Chronic pain, nausea, seizures, multiple sclerosis are some of the conditions treated with marijuana. Smoking marijuana eases the pain felt by those afflicted with such conditions.

Patients or their legal representative are allowed to apply for a medical marijuana identification card for their use or for their caregivers. Applicants are required to present proof of identity, residency and most importantly, medical proof that he or she is indeed seriously ill.

While the use of marijuana for medicinal purposes is now allowed in eleven states of the United States, buying is still prohibited by federal law. In fact, the Drug Enforcement Administration is against these legal marijuana centers and even threatens those who lease their properties for that purpose.

But soon, this ongoing problem will find a solution.

There are moves from the legislative branch of Rhode Island’s to set up stores or marijuana centers to legally sell marijuana to registered patients of the state. The idea to allow these stores or centers to sell marijuana was realized to discourage patients of debilitating disease to purchase the drug from the streets or drug dealers. Lawmakers are proposing the bill to address the problem of accessibility of the drug.

On the other hand, opponents of the bill are worried that these bill would only contribute to the illegal drug industry. They also pointed out that this will also complicate the police’ job. They also think that though the bill is proposed with good intentions, it may open up avenues for some to gain profit from it.

There have been confusion on how to address the medicinal dispensation of the drug. Former President Bush’s administration targeted even compliant marijuana centers. President Obama’s administration meanwhile promises to go after only with non- compliant centers.

On the middle of this debate are patients who are medically allowed to be treated with marijuana. It is just unfortunate that there are times when their sufferings are not treated because of the conflict between the state and federal law.

One recent case, involved a man suffering from nausea and back pain. He has used marijuana to ease on his suffering. He tried to purchase marijuana from youngsters on the street. He ended up being beaten up. He cannot even report the ugly incident to the police because it is still illegal to buy marijuana.

On the surface, the bill will benefit those who need marijuana to treat their medical conditions. But it’s really the implementation that will ultimately decide if the initiative will benefit not only the patients but the state as a whole.

The increasing concerns about the safety and security of marijuana distribution in different states just got a lot bigger. Marijuana centers are now supporting a bill that was passed by the lawmen of Rhode Island. The bill states the protection and legalization of marijuana center operations from any federal offense that they may be accused.

Authorities had been raiding distribution outlets and marijuana centers as these sites are said to be in a “drug-dealing operations” as opposed to what the local marijuana advocates and supporters define as a medicinal marijuana cooperative. These actions lead to the halt of center operations and the detainment of the center’s operators. Such centers had been subjected to bust operations, in which the federal agents have been confiscating any explicit documents and materials, such as the drug, that could be used as evidence for prosecution.

The reason: possession, transportation and distribution, among others, is considered as an act of federal offense by the Controlled Substances Act of 1970. This law is what the marijuana centers are “violating” according to the authorities. Though laws had been passed to legalize the use of marijuana, the Compassionate Use Act of 1996 and the Senate Bill 420 of 2003, these laws do not cover the protection of the marijuana centers.

In light of this event, the state of Rhode Island had proposed a bill, known as the Marijuana Compassion Center Bill, Rhode Island House Bill or HB5359, defines th legality and protection of the establishment of a marijuana center in the state from prosecution and confiscation of the center’s operators and properties. As the bill states that any registered non-profit marijuana centers “may acquire, possess, cultivate, manufacture, deliver, transfer, transport, supply, or dispense marijuana, or related supplies and educational materials, to registered qualifying patients and their registered primary caregivers who have designated it as one of their primary caregivers. ”**

In today’s time, marijuana centers and local dispensaries are cheering on as each state is now allowed to establish their own medical marijuana laws and implement a medicinal marijuana program. This now gives a chance for a state to propose an exemption to the constant raiding of marijuana centers by the authorities. In addition to this, the states that implement the marijuana program are looking into the taxation of the marijuana. Indeed, taxing the distribution of marijuana will benefit any state as it would contribute to their budget.

Even with the passing of the House Bill 5359, the authorities are still adhered to enforce the law regarding the illegality of marijuana. Others may deem that legalizing the drug is something that would be some sort of domino effect that would raise other concerns, such as the increase of drug-trafficking and the drug-related felony in ones locale. Though the government tolerates the excuse of using the drug as a medicine, people should not forget that the law is still implemented and that anyone found in violation of the law. Be it a cardholder or a marijuana center operator, they shall be prosecuted. Let’s just hope these people understand the consequences of their actions.

The state of California had proposed a law that would legalize the use of marijuana. There had been issues regarding the use of the drug in the medicinal field. Marijuana is known for side effects such as a different state of conciousness, euphoria and reddening of the eye to name a few. However, research and studies have shown that the drug is also capable of alleviating chronic pain, since it possesses medicinal attributes. With the legalization came the marijuana program.

The medicinal marijuana program, states that patients who’s health will benefit from a marijuana treatment can obtain a medicinal marijuana program ID that would grant them the protection from the authorities that would arrest them. The use of marijuana, as stated in the Controlled Substances Act, is illegal, even in medical treatment. Through a prescription of a psyhician, the patient or their caregiver may apply for the card.

This medicinal marijuana program was intended to protect the patients from the irrelevant arrests, confiscation of properties and detainment by federal law enforcers that are in-charge of marijuana-related felony. It was noted by the officials, that the card protected only the patients and their physicians, who prescribed the use of the marijuana for their medication.

This is notion is the primary problem of marijuana centers throughout the states who implemented the marijuana program. These marijuana centers are the prime distributors of the drug. But since the program only has the cardholders and physicians in its scope, the centers had been the target of raids and confiscations by the authorities since the centers are in direct violation of the Controlled Substances Act of 1970, stating that the possession and distribution of the drug is an offense and anyone porven to be in violation is subjected to prosectution accordingly. However, the state, together with some marijuana advocates appealed to these actions of the lawmen. The authorities now promise to stop the confiscations but occasional raids are still reported.

On the other hand, the legalization of the drug gives drug dealers a bigger entrepreneureal district. Though there are marijuana centers that would serve this purpose, dealers can move in the scene, but still remain discrete in their operations. Obviously, people needing medical marijuana far out number marijuana centers that offers these services. If the raids and the constant stiffening of these centers by the government and the federal enforcement agencies continues, the patients will have the tencency to purchase from the black market and these dealers. Not only would this place them in a dangerous spot in the eye of the law, they will have the possibility of aquiring the drug of poor quality, which are the strategy of some illegal dealers to raise profit.

The legality issue of the drug will evidently fall as the decision of an individual who will be undergoing the marijuana program. Hopefully, with enough understanding and self-discipline of the patient, can he or she assure his safety and his apparent progress in his ofr her hea

From November of 1996, the state of California declared the use of marijuana for medical treatment, patients and caregivers had exerted time and effort in the application for medicinal marijuana program identification card. The card allows one to purchase, possess and use the drug through a marijuana program. There are plenty of reasons why people would line up for this card.

Those who apply for the marijuana program card know or have been informed of the drug’s medicinal attributes, such as alleviating chronic illnesses and relieving pain from certain health conditions. The drug is proven to provide relief from nausea from chemotherapy, glaucoma and others. People registered in the marijuana program would possess identification cards that would let the patient or their caregiver purchase the drug easily as they need it.

But medicinal or not, the use of marijuana is still punishable by law. Therefore, an individual who uses marijuana without the ID is actually breaking the law. Thanks to the marijuana program and the card, people are protected from the arrest and court trials that would usually be placed upon marijuana users.

The marijuana cards are also considered as entrance tickets to marijuana centers, the primary distributors of marijuana. These centers are supposed to be allowed to possess and dispense the drug, supplies and informative materials to registered marijuana patients. However, the authorities enforce the Controlled Substances Act of 1970, which defines the possession and distribution of regulated drugs, in this case, marijuana, as a violation of federal law and anyone detained through incriminating evidence shall be subjected to prosecution accordingly. Though the authorities said that they would stop the confiscations, there are still reports of occasional raids. A bill, known as the Rhode Island House Bill 5359, has been passed that would license and protect the marijuana centers from the unnecessary raids and terminations. This bill, if passed could be adopted by those who have already implemented the marijuana program. It awaits a House vote within the week to follow.

The patients could also grow their own cannabis plant, which marijuana is cultivated from. This is, as long as they have the authorization and again, the prescription from their doctors and is under a marijuana program. Some cases have been reported of patients growing a number, more than what the doctor ordered. This is because accompanied by the Proposition 215, the Senate Bill 420, compromise between the patients’ advocate and law enforcement, by agreeing the quantities of plants and product allowed per patient without being subject to arrest.

Though marijuana is illegal due to its health risks and side effects, its medicinal attributes cannot be ignored and resulted in reviving an old debate about its legality. Like all prescription drugs, apart from the benefits that the drug provide there are still health risks to be considered. Measures have been made and standards have been set. The drug that has been known to induce a “high” state of mind, causing you to do things you wouldn’t normally do sober. It is up to the self-discipline of the patient to avoid these risks.

The issue of marijuana being used in medicinal practice has been discussed, debated and reacted to by two common group: those who oppose its use and the drug advocates. These groups had been into each other’s neck ever since, and more so now that the drug had been legalized.

The state of California had spearheaded the cause for marijuana to be legalized and the passage of Proposition 215, also known as the Compassionate Use Act of 1996, through a state-wide votation by volunteers, such as patients, doctors and advocates. This however, was opposed by anti-drug campaign groups, local officials, law enforcement agencies and concerned civilians on the prominent hazzard that legalizing marijuana may bring. The ballots have closed and the votes tallied. After hours of tabulating the votes, the decision was made: the law shall be passed. Garnering a total of 5, 382, 915 of almost 56% of the registered voters, the law was in effect.

The law constitute the legality of marijuana, though this law now contradicts that of the Controlled Substances Act of 1970, which defines the possession and use, among others, of any controlled substances, in this case, marijuana, as a violation of the law and anyone accused shall be prosecuted accordingly.

The Compassionate Act of 1996 was considered bad and vague by those who opposed it, thus the states passed additional laws that would supplement the proposition. In 2003, the Senate Bill 420 was passed to give clarifications on the limits of the application of the law. A medicinal marijuana program was established, which can issue an identification card that would compromise both authorities and the patients. The marijuana program sets the standards in which the patients are safe from any detainment by the authorities upon presentation of a legitimate marijuana card.

Along with the marijuana program, marijuana centers were established to serve as the primary outlets of the drug. Though there are other means of obtaining the drug, through local dispensaries and cannabis clubs. Problem arised when the authorities stated that the program’s scope and limitation only protects the cardholders, and that these marijuana centers are commiting federal offense of possessing and distributing the regulated drug. Since then, marijuana centers had been subjected to raids and termination of opeations, confiscation any documents and drug law enforcers may find that they could use as evidence for prosecution of the centers.

This action was favored by both authorities and concerned citizens. They fear that these marijuana centers could contribute to the increase of drug-trafficking and drug-related felonies in their neighborhood. Other strategies, such as sending out letters that educate people about the penalty of violating the law.

In light of this event, a bill, the Rhode Island House Bill 5359, was passed to legalize and protect marijuana centers and registered dispensaries from being raided and properties confiscated and their operators being filed for committing a federal offense and being prosecuted accordingly. A House vote shall take place in the following weeks to come up with a decision.

Effective November 16,1996, after the state-wide votation by citizens of the state of Calfornia, the use of marijuana for medical purposes is legalized. The state conducted a votation on whether to legitimize the use of marijuana, specifically for medical treatments.

Marijuana is known not only for its side effects, such as inducing euphoria and causing one to be drug dependent. However, recent studies and research have shown that the drug does possess medicinal attributes, such as reducing pain from patients undergoing chemotherapy, relieving chronic pains, or a proposed medication to anorexia. This finds have been the basis of the proposed law 215, also known as the Compassionate Use Act of 1996.

The Compassionate Use Act of 1996, or the California Proposition 215, allows a patient who is prescribed by their physicians and their primary caregivers, to possess and raise their own marijuana plant, commonly known as the cannabis plant, without federal questioning. The law laso protects the physicians that issued a prescription to their patients, that they will not be punished or stripped of their rights or privilege. The patients, once deemed approporiate for use of the drug will undergo a medicinal marijuana program.

The medicinal marijuana program is open to eligible patients and caregivers of the state of California; however, every county that observes the marijuana program is required to make the program available through a law. The Senate Bill 420, passed in 2003 compromises law enforcers and legitimate marijuana patients through an identification system. That being so, the marijuana is still difficult to get as the number of marijuana program cards increase in number. This is due to the fact that the cards do not include the marijuana centers and operators in its scope.

Marijauna centers and distribution sites have been opened for easy access to the legitimate cardholders. Though, there are still issues regarding these centers. It has been stated in the law, that the card and the program scope of protection are the cardholders and the doctors who prescribed the use of the drug, and not the marijuana centers. Thanks to this, federal agents have raided these centers for possession and distribution of I the illegal drug. It was noted that in recent events, the authorities have promised to stop the raid of these marijuana centers and dispensaries. However, just because the authorities do not enforce the law on these establishments and its operators, doesnot make it legal.

As with any item being sold, the states that allowed the establishments of marijuana centers are now looking into the possibility of taxing the drug. Entrepreneurs are noticing the increase in demand of the drug since its legalization. Though some still fear of venturing into the marijuana market in the fear of federal violations and the occassional raids by authorities. This somehow ensures anti-drug campaign groups that the drug supply remains relatively low.

This may be considered a stepping stone for those who advocate the use of the drug. However, some are still adhered to the old, but none the less factual, belief of marijuana as an illegal drug. Hopefully, both group could find a compromise as to put an end to the age-old debate.