In
2004, the United Nations reported that about 4 percent of the world's
adult population regularly use marijuana. Recent estimates from 2012
purport that up to 203 million consume marijuana annually. Cannabis
is thus considered the most frequently consumed regulated (or
prohibited) drug worldwide.
Cannabis
has been used as a medicinal drug since ancient times, with the
earliest records pointing to the Chinese as the first civilization to
recognize the plant's benefits. Today, cannabis enjoys limited legal
use in several countries, with restrictions typically revolving
around the amount that an individual could sell or possess at any
given time. These restrictions are designed to prevent those who
would use the drug solely for recreational purposes.
Only
those afflicted with particular ailments (namely neurogenic pain,
asthma, leukemia, HIV/AIDS, movement disorders, and so on) can
purchase medicinal marijuana, and even then patients must possess a
medical marijuana ID card. Typically, the county health department
issues these cards, and only after the patient has fulfilled the
necessary requirements. It should be noted that patients can only
purchase cannabis from special dispensaries authorized by the state's
laws. Seen in this light, one can say that cannabis now has a valid
medical application in modern times.
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