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.