*The Evolution of Cannabis:* a Recreational drug transition*ing to a medical remedy approved by* Americans. Cannabis has been a recreational drug and medical remedy since the herb was known to exist but, today cannabis has been researched, approved by legislators to be used only for applications. People have opposed the consumption of marijuana for medical and recreational use. The herd known as cannabis indigo is the # l drug and the hottest issue coming to the surface of social issue for Americans. History of the Problem (Include, perhaps, past attempts at solutions. Work in sources. The plant marijuana has been known since 6000 B.C. and in 1840 in America medical preparation cannabis was legal and available to Americans. The United State government and the department of food and Drug Administration ordered in 1906 to label products that contained cannabis. The Harrison Act in 1914 listed Cannabis, to be approved but the law did not pass legislation. The pharmaceutical industry's was opposition the approval due to lack of beneficial properties. In 1915-1924 cannabis was prohibited for non medical use in the United States. Dr. Hamilton Wright, a State Department official whom from 1908 to 1914 coordinated the domestic and international aspects of the federal antinarcotics campaign, wanted cannabis to be included in drug abuse legislation because of his belief in a hydraulic model of drug appetites. He reasoned, along with numerous other experts, that if one dangerous drug was effectively prohibited, the addict's depraved desires would switch to another substance more easily available. Charles A. West, chairman of the Legislative Committee, complained that "cannabis is not what may be called a habit-forming drug."2(p. 50) Dr. Alexander Lambert, of Bellevue Hospital and later President of the American Medical Association, stated that some of his patients were habitual users of cannabis and that, therefore, the drug was habit-forming.2 (p. 84) The Hague Convention took place in 1912 for the control of the world's narcotic traffic, one of the American delegates, Henry J. Finger of the California Board of Pharmacy, thought that cannabis was dangerous and stated. “Many Californians, particularly in San Francisco, were frightened by the "large influx of Hindus . . . demanding cannabis Indica" who were initiating "the whites into their habit." Pg 5 The delegate Mr. Finger wanted Drugs traffic to be control worldwide. Mr. Finger was primarily concern with the increase in the Southwest of the U.S. after First World War. In 1919 the Supreme Court decision outlawing addiction-maintenance for pleasure or comfort use. Alcohol was legal for convivial consumption when the 18th Amendment became effective in January 1920. The horrific crime acts in the U.S. were attributed to marijuana use combined with alcohol. In 1925 the second Geneva Convention took place and cannabis was regulated worldwide. 1937 the federal government took a drastic change; cannabis was illegal in the United Stated and doctor’s could not prescribe medical cannabis to patients. The law of 1937 was the federal government’s response to political pressure from Drug Enforcement Agency that worried about the use and spread of marijuana by “Mexican” in the United States. Legal and medical officers in New Orleans began studies on Cannabis, and within a few years published articles claiming that many of the crimes committed in the region could be traced to marijuana consumption. News reported that marijuana use was a sexual stimulant which removed civilized inhibitions and led people to commit uncivilized crimes. As a result, requests were made to include marihuana in the federal law which controlled similar substances; it was named the Harrison Narcotic Act. In the mid 1920 the crime was razing in New Orleans because of Marijuana consumption and alcohol this led to scientific investigation and cannabis was researches. Today the studies and the finding on the surveys and studies of cannabis have led to the legalizations of Medical Marijuana in 13 states and 11 states are pending to legalize the herb. Many have been affected by the illegal use of cannabis. The most affected are the people that need a medical prescription, dispensaries that provided the drug, and all Americans. The article entitled “Prison Term for a Seller of Medical Marijuana” appeared in The New York Times on June 12, 2009 the article can be found on page A18. The article discusses federal laws and local laws that have a conflict with each other. A man is facing one year in prison for selling medical marijuana and following local law. Charles Lynch an owner of dispensary, sold marijuana to patients with a prescription to obtain the medicine. California law is proposition 215 which allows marijuana to be used for medical purposes only. Federal law prohibits the cultivation, sale and use of marijuana for medicinal purposes, but California’s law allows certain uses of marijuana with a doctor’s prescription (p.3). The new law is not synchronizing with federal law and it continues to be a criminal act to get medicine herb. The state and federal law are being applied completely to the dispensary owners. Proposition 215 is just a law that stands alone with no backup from the federal laws. Federal laws would have to change to fully help the patients and the dispensary owners SAMSA the Natural Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) NSDUD has been conducting nationwide studies on illicit drugs used in the United States. The government uses the data to enforce law and regulate drug use. These were the findings of Marijuana use: Marijuana was the most used illicit drugs 72.8 % use marijuana. These percentage are figures from 2006-2007 among people ages 12 and older adults ages 26 or older 6.1% reported using marijuana and 42 % are using for those ages 50 to 54 the rate increased from 3.4 in 2002 to 6-0 percent in have e mixed trends same percentage . The patterns and trends my practically reflect the aging into these age groups of the baby boom. Cohort, whose lifetime rates of illicit drugs use are higher than those of older cohorts. Pg 16-24 Men are more likely to use marijuana than women page 26 According to NSDHA Currently illicit drug use varied by race and ethnicity in 2006. Among a person aged 12 or older, the lowest among Asians 3.6 percent. Rates were 13.7 percent for American Indian or Alaskan Native, 9.8 percent for Black, 8.9 percent for people reporting two or more races, 8.5 percent for Whites, 7.5 percent, Native Hawaiians or other Pacific Islanders, and 6.7 percent for Hispanic. Page 26 paragraph 2 Marijuana use varied by education status people that did not graduate from High School 9.2 percent, high school graduates 8.6 percent, and those with some college and 9.1 percent. Adults who graduated from college have tried illicit drugs in their life time when compared with adults who had not completed high school 50.1 vs. 37.2 percent (Pg 27) Percentage of employed Americans that are users of marijuana is 18.5 % are mostly unemployed 18.5 % than those employed full time 8.8 % part time 9.4 % criminal justice population over one forth of those illicit drug users higher than 7.9 % among adults not or on parole or supervised release (Pg 29) Frequency of American population use is 3.1 Million in 2006. Currently using marijuana 12.3 percent used marijuana. Report shows that 300 days out of the year used marijuana the past 12 month meaning last year. The study’s conducted and all the medical research is evident that marijuana will continue to be part of our American culture. Never the less, the government will continue to obtain revenue from marijuana and law in forcers will have to reconsider the federal law and state law. The legalization of medical marijuana is now an implement law in 13 states. U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder has said that the federal government will not prosecute sales of marijuana that are legal under state law. There is substantial interest in Congress making medical marijuana available, and a number of states are expected to legalize marijuana this year. Pennsylvania should be one of them. Pennsylvania and should not have to face the choice of either moving out of state or dealing with illegal drug dealers in order to gain needed treatment recommended by their doctors. State Rep. Mark B an Orlando woman announced Monday that she's launching an effort to let voters to decide whether to include medical marijuana laws in the Florida Constitution. She wants to put the question on the 2010 ballot. Kim Russell, a third-generation Floridian, said she is making the push because her father suffers from Parkinson's disease and believes he could avoid brain surgery with medical marijuana. She is collecting signatures and money but has not yet received help from any national groups or financiers. The most recent state to approve medical marijuana laws was Michigan, where 63 percent approved a ballot initiative in November. Of the 12 other states with medical marijuana laws, eight were from ballot initiatives and four were enacted by legislatures, according to The Associated Press. Russell's group, People United for Medical Marijuana, has a proposal. It would allow a doctor's prescription of marijuana to treat Alzheimer's, cachexia, cancer, chronic pain, chronic nervous system disorders, Crohn's disease, epilepsy and other seizure disorders, glaucoma, Parkinson's disease that causes muscle spasticity, and others. Resent research on marijuana conducted by NORML 2000-2009 NORML has reported that all the diseases listed bellow can be and are treated with marijuana. Acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS); Anorexia; Arthritis; Cachexia; Cancer; Chronic pain; Glaucoma; Migraine; Persistent muscle spasms, including, but not limited to, spasms associated with multiple sclerosis; Seizures, including, but not limited to, Seizures associated with Epilepsy; Severe nausea; Any other chronic or persistent medical symptom that either: If not alleviated, may cause serious harm to the patient's safety or physical or mental health. Also it protects the brain against Neurodegeneration or dementia, protection of the body against some types of malignant tumors. The remedy to alleviate your pain and discomfort is cannabis. Americans will improve their quality of life regardless if it is legal or not. Medical marijuana should be important to all Americans and be able to legalize the medicine that provides the plant in all state not only in the state of California. American are working and paying focus on the medical benefits of the herb. Human need all the medical breakthrough possible and the federal government should approve it and make it available to the sick. Make it available to the public. Companies that produce medicine will be able to produce more affordable medication for American. Marijuana production is less expensive than growing corn. The croup of marijuana grown in the 19 century the number one cash produce crop in the U.S. The poor health coverage American have is forcing people to get illegal medication even overseas. The American public needs for the federal governments to focus on remediation to marijuana reformed and educate the public on medical use and recreational uses. Some stated have taken action on reducing penalties to users. The state of California since 1996 reformed the law and marijuana is legal for medical purposes only. The new government will implement rules and regulation to consumers. Mr. Obama our formal president order for the department in charge to stop the raids in clinic and pharmacies that provide the medical ganja and not prosecute the doctors that write a prescription. He also will be address the need to legalize the herb for medical purposes’ only; when he is done with the other issues that he need to address in the White House. Barack Obama has been clearer in his support for medical marijuana. Philadelphia News in the letter Pot is no Joke stated Pennsylvania should be one of them. Pennsylvanians should not have to face the choice of either moving out of state or dealing with illegal drug dealers in order to gain needed treatment recommended by their doctors. Americans can achieve anything and overcome everything. It is here to stay the medical breakthrough to alleviate cancer, aid, and nausea after quimo therapy, multiple sclerosis, mind, nerves, arthritis, pain, slow down the progression of glaucoma, and much more. The new era of Cannabis Sativa, Cannabis Indica has arrived instead of a pill in the new era you will smoke a joint legally. Alcohol do not even come close to the benefits the herb has if used responsively. Drug policy in the United State is not working because when 13 States have approved the medical substance and eleven states are pending to approve marijuana. Drugs are available more than ever today and the drug enforcers are targeting non aggressive drug users. The U.S. has the highest percentage of jailers in the world. The government arrested 1.8 million citizens every year for drug crimes over 800,000 for minor marijuana offenses alone. The American population that are consuming marijuana is one forth of 29. 7 percent presently are current illicit drug user and 7.9 percent adults in parole or supervised release. Legalizing marijuana in the united stated will be good for all the states Furthermore the researchers will continue the find the remedies and lower the cost to some diseases providing this medication and providing the correct dosage. The states will also have a lower crime rate and compare to other nations that have it legalize and proof of that is that the our jails will not be full of the minor offenders Furthermore, alcohol is legal in the United States and is uncontrollable and destroys people with no remorse. In Florida today the state of Florida is not even pending or proposing a proposition to the senate. A woman stated “Marijuana my life saver and save me from a lot of medical bills”. Reference Justin Scheck, Stu Woo California counties target pot growers despite rising talk of legalization. (May 9, 2009). The Wall Street Journal, p. pg A.3. Anonymous, Is the Drug War Working or Worse Than the Disease, (Dec 13, 2008). The Wall Street Journal, p. pg A 14. SAMSA, (2007) National_ Survey on Drug Use and Health National Findings_ Rockville, MD: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Service Administration. May 28, 2009). Pro.Con.Org. Retrieved June 19, 2009, from 13 States with Pending Legislation or Ballot Measures to Legalize Medical Marijuana Web site: http://medicalmarijuana.procon.org/viewresource.asp?resourceID=002481 Drug Policy Alliance Network, Stephen Gutwillig, (May 21, 2009.). Court Clears the Way for States to Legalize Marijuana. U.S. Supreme Court Lets Decision Upholding California’s Medical Marijuana Laws Stand, Retrieved June 15, 2009, from http://www.drugpolicy.org/news/pressroom/pressrelease/pr052109.cfm Musto, M. D., David F , (Feb , 1972). Court Clears the Way for States to Legalize Marijuana. the Child Study Center, School of Medicine, and the Department of History, Graduate School, Yale University, , 26, Retrieved June 15,2009, from http://www.druglibrary.org/schaffer/hemp/history/mustomj1.html Palm Beach Post (Florida)April 12, 2009 Sunday FINAL EDITION POT A PROBLEM, BUT ABUSERS NEEDTREATMENT, NOT CRIMINAL RECORDSECTION: OPINION; Pg. 19A LENGTH: 473 words