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Medical marijuana
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Medical marijuana Close-up of green, serrated marijuana leaves on a plant growing outdoors. A full page of ancient Egyptian writing in black and some red ink. The Anatomy of Melancholy Queen Victoria and Prince Albert with five of their nine children. Reefer Madness President Richard Nixon and Elvis Presley A woman wearing glasses and a straw hat exhales smoke while holding a joint, standing among tall cannabis plants in an outdoor plantation. Map of the United States displaying the legal status of marijuana by state as of late 2024. States where marijuana is legal for adult use are shaded green, states where it is illegal are shaded orange, and states with conditionally decriminalized possession are marked with a lighter orange. Additional symbols indicate where marijuana is legal for medicinal use or where only low-THC medicinal use is permitted. Vivek Murthy
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Medical marijuana

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After reading the above debate, take our assessment quiz to test your knowledge of marijuana and its uses. Good luck!

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Discussion questions

  1. Should medical marijuana be legal? Why or why not? If yes, which jurisdiction(s) should legalize marijuana (federal, state, local)?
  2. Should medical marijuana state laws indicate which medical conditions marijuana is an appropriate medication for? Or should marijuana be regulated by the FDA like other drugs? Explain your answer(s).
  3. Should recreational marijuana be decriminalized while scientists study the marijuana as a medicine? Explain your answer(s).
  4. What questions do you have after reading the debate above? Where might you find answers?
  5. What was the most interesting thing you learned from this debate?
  6. Consider how you felt about the issue before reading this article. After reading the pros and cons on this topic, has your thinking changed? How and why?. If your thoughts have not changed, explain how and why you better understand the other side of the debate.
  7. Push for the position and policies you support by writing local officials, U.S. senators and representatives, or other people in a position to make the change you champion.

Sources

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