Marijuana is one of the most commonly used and abused drugs in the world.  It is used for numerous reasons, some which are medicinal.  While in some countries it is perfectly legal to purchase and use marijuana the debate on its legality in the United States has been ongoing and sometimes quite contentious.  There are some groups that claim that marijuana has a lot of medical benefits and few negative side effects and thus should be made legal.  There are others who feel that marijuana is inherently bad because it is a drug. It seems that lately those in favor of the drug being legal have gained some ground in the debate.  Marijuana is now legal to possess in very small quantities in some states in US. In other areas in the US it is legal to possess and use marijuana for medically approved reason.  A person does need a prescription written by their doctor in order to avoid trouble with the law in this regard.

Marijuana is a mix of seeds, stems and flowers.  It comes from the cannabis sativa plant. There are various types of marijuana. There is a misconception popular amongst some that marijuana does not have any negative affects on those who use it. This simply is untrue. Studies have shown that long-term and chronic use can lead to brain damage and various mental disorders, though experts are not sure whether or not marijuana use is what causes the mental conditions are if these individuals were already predisposed to certain mental disorders. Marijuana is classified as a Schedule I drug in the United States.  This classification (Schedule 1) is for drugs that are very addicting and have little or no medicinal value.  Because marijuana is sometimes perscribed for ailments it makes little sense that it is a Schedule 1 drug. However, it remains.

It is possible to develop an addiction to marijuana, though not a physical one. Users may find themselves with a psychological addiction, which can be just as dangerous. Those with a severe addiction may find it necessary to enter drug rehabilitation. Outpatient therapy can be very effective, though inpatient treatment may be required for those with a very severe dependency.