Under U.S. law since 1970, marijuana is a Schedule I controlled substance. This means that the drug, at least in its smoked form, has no commonly accepted medical use in this country. In considering possible medical uses of marijuana, it is important to distinguish between whole marijuana and pure THC or other specific chemicals derived from cannabis.
Whole marijuana contains hundreds of chemicals, some of which are clearly harmful to health.
THC, manufactured into a pill that is taken by mouth, not smoked, can be used for treating the nausea and vomiting that go along with certain cancer treatments. The oral THC is also used to help AIDS patients eat more to keep up their weight. Some think that these chemicals could be useful for treating severe pain. But further research is needed before such compounds can be recommended for treatment of medical problems. There is no magic bullet for preventing teenage drug use.