Marijuana's popularity compelled many scientists to study its heath effects. Many recreational users who also happened to be afflicted with conditions for which marijuana has therapeutic potential inadvertently discovered its medicinal benefits. There are other drugs that are prescribed to persons suffering from the ailments described above. For instance, Marinol is a legal synthetic version of delt-9 THC, an active ingredient in marijuana. It is used for patients having trouble with nausea and vomiting.
Most states have their own laws regarding marijuana and physicians.
Historically speaking, federal and state legislation has never seen the medicinal use of marijuana in a favorable light. For example, the Marijuana Tax Act of 1937 established the federal prohibition of marijuana. At the time this bill came to a vote in the U.S. Congress, Dr. William C. Woodward of the American Medical Association testified against the Act, arguing that it would ultimately prevent any medicinal use of marijuana. Marijuana was placed in Schedule I, which defines the substance as having a high potential for abuse, not currently accepted for medical use in treatment in the United States, and a lack of accepted safety for use under medical supervision. The state of California has been rather progressive in its attempt to make marijuana available for medicinal purposes.