The video below, Waiting to Inhale, examines the heated debate over marijuana and its use as medicine in the United States. Twelve states have passed legislation to protect patients who use medical marijuana. Yet, opponents claim the medical argument is just a smokescreen for a different agenda--to legalize marijuana for recreation and profit.

Waiting to Inhale (75 mins)

Proponents of medical marijuana argue that it can be a safe and effective treatment for the symptoms of cancer, AIDS, multiple sclerosis, pain, glaucoma, epilepsy, and other conditions. They cite dozens of peer-reviewed studies, prominent medical organizations, major government reports, and the use of marijuana as medicine throughout world history.

Opponents of medical marijuana argue that it is too dangerous to use, lacks FDA-approval, and that various legal drugs make marijuana use unnecessary. They say marijuana is addictive, leads to harder drug use, interferes with fertility, impairs driving ability, and injures the lungs, immune system, and brain. They say that medical marijuana is a front for drug legalization and recreational use.

In this week's discussion, you and your classmates will argue both sides of this heated topic.

If your last name begins with A-M, develop an initial post that advocates for the legalization of medical marijuana in all 50 states as a way to address the public health problem of pain.

If your last name begins with N-Z, develop an initial post that advocates that all marijuana use should be illegal in the United States because it creates a larger public health problem of addiction.

Include at least 1 scholarly resource in your initial post.