In 1972, the United States put marijuana in Schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act. They believed it had no probable medical use. Since that time 23 states as well as Washington DC have legalizes the use of medical marijuana. The legalization of Marijuana has been an ongoing topic for the past couple of years in the United States. Several different opinions have been made but ultimately it comes down to people who are pro marijuana and those who oppose it. Some argue that medical marijuana is safe and effective for several different diseases such as cancer, AIDS, glaucoma etc. Although marijuana use has been around for ages and probably has done more to help then hurt many people do not want to see it legalized. People who are opposed to the legalization fear that it is dangerous and leads to harder drug use. This argument is has been presented quite often. Health classroom across the United States teach children that marijuana is a gateway drug. Some of the other reasons for not legalizing marijuana are that if legalized for medicinal use recreational use will spike, especially among teens and adolescents. However, studies have proven that inaccurate. According to a study by the National bureau of Economic Research concluded that there was no significant increase in pot use by teenagers who lived in states where it was legalized. I personally believe that medical marijuana should be legalized. It seems to have helped more than it has hurt. I honestly feel that reasons of it not being legalized are illegitimate. You can abuse anything and any other drug, whether legal or illegal. Marijuana is no more harmful than any other drug or alcohol including over the counter medications. Over the counter are prescribed to help eliminate or soothe certain health problems or illnesses. Medical