To truly understand why marijuana should be legalized by the federal government, you need to have some basic knowledge of medical weed. Cannabis, more commonly known as marijuana, originated in China for purely medicinal purposes. Subsequently the plant spread to India, Europe and, finally, North America. Cannabis was first used as hemp rope and fabric, and in the 18th century marijuana began to be recognized and used in the pharmaceutical industry. However, marijuana only became illegal a century later. As for the legal status of marijuana today, “The federal Controlled Substance Act has classified marijuana as a Schedule 1 drug, meaning it has both a high potential for abuse and unaccepted medical use” (Hastings Center Report ). However, several clinical practices and doctors who have earned a Ph.D. have argued that marijuana actually provides exceptional relief in relieving the symptoms of many diseases. Marijuana should be legalized by the federal government because the herbal remedy helps relieve many symptoms of life-threatening diseases, is non-addictive and relatively safe, and even generates new innovative ideas in the brain. For starters, marijuana is much safer than other drugs, both pharmaceutical and recreational. The Marijuana Medical Handbook, written by doctors, states that, “Unlike other psychoactive drugs, including alcohol, aspirin, opioids, nicotine, and caffeine, cannabis is not known to cause fatal overdoses” (1). Cigarettes alone kill millions of people every year, and alcohol is a frequent primary contributor to mortality. Caffeine is found in countless drinks and is highly addictive. People commonly suffer from caffeine withdrawal headaches as their body's advertising... middle of paper... diminished greatly. Marijuana should be legalized by the federal government because of its extraordinary healing properties, abnormal level of safety for consumers, and its potential to create a more creative and open-minded society. Works Cited Ault, Alicia. “Institute of Medicine Says Marijuana Has Benefits.” Lancet 353.9158 (1999): 1077. Healthcare source: Nursing/Academic Edition. Network. April 26, 2014.Earleywine, Mitchell. Understanding marijuana: A new look at the scientific evidence. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2002: 167. eBook Collection (EBSCO host). Network. April 26, 2014. Gieringer, Dale Rosenthal, Ed Carter, Gregory T. Medical Marijuana Handbook: A Practical Guide to the Therapeutic Uses of Marijuana. Fast Trading Company, 2008: 1.37. (RSCC Library). Network. April 26, 2014. Hastings Center Report, vol. 39, no. 6. November-December 2009. (JSTOR).Web. April 26 2014.