Medical Marijuana as opposed to other pharmaceutical drugs

According to experts at the Health Centre of the McGill University Canada, marijuana can be used to reduce chronic neurological pain. A study conducted by the researchers concluded that marijuana had relatively lesser side-effects in comparison to most pharmaceutical drugs. According to the study, the main ingredient of marijuana, tetrahydrocannibinol (THC) possesses psychotropic and analgesic properties which are responsible for providing relief from chronic pain. Along with pain relief it uplifts the users mood allowing him to deal with severe pain with ease. The researchers also mentioned that smoking cannabis assist an individual to sleep better and restore appetite with those suffering from tuberculosis.

In New Zealand, the use and propagation of medical marijuana for those who are in dire need of pain relief has been embraced with loving arms by the NZMA (New Zealand Medical Association) who have time and time again requested the government to take the same stance. "The NZMA has said it supports a law Commission proposal which allows patients to use cannabis under medical supervision" said Phil Saxby, president of NORML New Zealand. When asked about current users and the government's stance on the issue, he also went on to say that "...many of the thousands of New Zealanders who currently find relief from pain and other conditions in their use of cannabis, the Justice Minister seems content to have them branded as criminals"

A study conducted in Germany concluded that marijuana could be used to prevent epilepsy in some patients. The study suggests that the brain "produces natural cannabis like substances to calm hyperactive brain cells" (NORML, 2003) The researchers described this finding, which allegedly was also documented from the 15th century onwards as a "promising therapeutic target" in the treatment and prevention of epilepsy.

Statistics indicate that there has Never been any recorded evidence of a direct link between the usage of marijuana and death to its user. If that is the case, then why does it still remain classified as a drug and is not available as a prescription?