The right to use marijuana for elective medical purposes is a long-running battle between the U.S. federal government and those who advocate for its therapeutic uses. The history of marijuana (also known as cannabis) use has served as a strong deterrent to the legalization of this type of drug today. The controversy stems from the medical and legal implications the U.S. federal government has regarding marijuana use. Other controversies are associated with petitions filed to reclassify marijuana (a controlled substance) for optional medical treatment. Additionally, there are conflicts related to US federal government intervention preventing patients from using prescribed marijuana in states that have legislated laws allowing elective treatment (Hall, Degenhardt 689). The US federal government has led everyone to believe that marijuana has no beneficial value in the practice of medicine despite research findings. The process of legalizing marijuana for its therapeutic values ​​has been avoided by our government due to a possible increase in its consumption for recreational purposes only. Is the controversy really about the view that marijuana has no medical value or is it simply an excuse to continue to fund our government with billions of dollars each year (Zimmerman, Crumpacker and Bayer 161) ? Evidence from scientific research and clinical studies alone should be enough to change current policy governing the use of marijuana. Medical marijuana use should be an optional treatment for people with serious illness. In today's society, the use of marijuana, including other drugs such as heroin, methamphetamines and cocaine, is a great concern for all parents.... ... middle of paper...... l Academies Press, 1999. Electronic Book Collection (EBSCOhost). EBSCO. Internet. September 21, 2011. Jill, B. Jessie. "The Constitutional Right to Make Medical Treatment Decisions: A Tale of Two Doctrines." Texas Law Review 86.2 (2007): 277-345. Premier Academic Research. EBSCO. Internet. September 21, 2011. Kane, Brigid . “Medical Marijuana: The Story Continues.” Annals of Internal Medicine 134.12 (2001): 1159-1162. EBSCO Academic Research. THE DEBATE ON THE USE OF MEDICAL MARIJUANA." Journal of Drug Issues 29.1 (1999): 121-133. Premier Academic Research. EBSCO. Internet. September 30, 2011. Zimmerman, Bill, Nancy Crumpacker, and Rick Bayer. Marijuana is Is It the Right Medicine for You?: An Evidence-Based Guide to the Medical Uses of Marijuana. NTC Contemporary, 1998. E-Book Collection EBSCO Internet.. 2011.