Introduction In the United States, marijuana for medical purposes has gained more prevalence in current political discourse than in previous years. Marijuana, also known as cannabis, is a flowering plant native to southern and central Asia. For centuries, the cannabis plant has been used for many natural products such as seed oils, seeds, fibers used to make hemp products, and contains over four hundred chemicals, some of which have an effect similar to antibiotics (Nordqvist, 2013 ). Studies have shown that two of the chemicals, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD), have a positive effect on humans for mild to moderate pain-relieving effects and sedative effects (Nordqvist, 2013). The purpose of this article is to discuss and analyze medical marijuana policy using the benefit distribution framework. Policy AnalysisAlthough cannabis remains a controlled substance at the federal level, the Controlled Substances Act made medical marijuana policy discretionary among states and local governments (Smithon, 2012). . Highly selective regulations have been implemented by those states that allow marijuana for medical purposes to prevent trafficking or other modes of abuse. There are currently twenty-one states that have passed this policy including Delaware, Maryland, and New Jersey (Smithon, 2012). Who? Patients suffering from chronic diseases can benefit from the analgesic and therapeutic benefits of medical marijuana (Smithon, 2012). Some illnesses include chronic pain, multiple sclerosis, cancer symptoms, HIV disease and AIDS, epilepsy, glaucoma, arthritis, depression, anxiety, hepatitis C, Alzheimer's disease, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). What? Extreme weight loss is p ...... middle of paper ...... on, J., Gouaux, B., & Wilsey, B. (2012). Medical marijuana: eliminate smoking. The Open Journal of Neurology, 18-25. doi:10.2174/1874205X01206010018Joynt, C. (2013, 03 25). A sneak peek at one of DC's medical marijuana dispensaries. Washingtonian.Kleber, H., & Dupont, R. (2012). Doctors and medical marijuana. The AmericanJournal of Psychiatry, 169(6), doi: doi:10.1176/appi.ajp.2012.12030373Lucas, P. G. (2008). Regulating compassion: An overview of Canadian federal medical cannabis policy and practice. Harm Reduction Journal, 5(1), 5.Nordqvist, C. (2013). What is marijuana? What is cannabis? Medical News TodaySmithon, D. (2012). Medical Marijuana: 10 Health Benefits That Legitimize Legalization. IBTimes.Zemel, F.I. (2013). Medical marijuana: a crossroads between land use planning and environmental health. Journal of Environmental Health, 75(9), 56-57.