The cannabis plant is more commonly known as marijuana. The United States considers marijuana an illegal substance within its territory. This law seems simple, but a huge curve ball has been thrown at the government: medical marijuana. Numerous trials and clinical studies are beginning to show a more benevolent side of the “medicine” which was previously thought to only produce invalids. The federal government should legalize the use of medical marijuana because it does not cause the harm critics claim, it has known medical qualities, and it can generate billions of dollars for the economy. Before we can adequately assess the benefits or harms of medical marijuana, we must sift through what is fact and what is fiction. To begin to understand, you must first learn how marijuana works. The main hallucinogen in marijuana is delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol, THC (“Cannabis and Cannabinoids”). This compound reacts with receptors in the brain to produce the euphoric “high” associated with pot smokers. Cannabidiols (CBD) are the compounds that lead to the healing effects of marijuana. These compounds react with various areas of the brain to generate certain responses. Some of the other compounds in marijuana also affect the chemical that works against hunger in the body (Ware). It is probably because of the words “brain” and “chemicals” being used in the same sentence that the biggest marijuana myth was born. At some point, people became convinced that marijuana changes brain chemistry. This change in brain chemistry is linked to becoming “like a zombie, only worrying about your next high” (Edwards). Critics use this as a major weapon against medical marijuana. The ...... middle of paper ......n, Iris. “Entrepreneurs seek profits from pot.” The Wall Street Journal. Dow Jones & Company, February 3, 2014. Web. April 11, 2014.Edwards, Gabrielle I. Coping with Drug Abuse. New York: Rosen Pub. Group, 1983. 14. Print. Grotenhermen, Dr. Med., Franjo and Kirsten Müller-Vahl, Prof. Dr. Med. “The therapeutic potential of cannabis and cannabinoids.” National Center for Biotechnology Information. US National Library of Medicine, nd Web. April 9, 2014.National Institute on Drug Abuse. “Prescription Drug Abuse.” What is prescription drug abuse? National Institute on Drug Abuse, October 2011. Web. April 24, 2014. Tarantola, Andrew. “Killjoy scientists created the pleasure of medical marijuana.” Gizmodo. np, May 30, 2012. Web. April 21, 2014. Ware, Mark A. “Medical Cannabis (Drug).” Encyclopedia Britannica Online. Encyclopedia Britannica, May 20, 2012. Web. April 8. 2014.