Although medical marijuana has been legal in some states for several years, there is still much debate as to whether the users attain relief from their symptoms or they are abusing the system to get high.

Recently, the mom of 10-year-old Joey has found that medical marijuana helps to control his severe autistic behaviors.  Mieko Hester-Perez found that using medical marijuana helped her child to start eating healthy once again.  The medications he was one, and he had tried them all, suppressed his appetite to the point that he was literally starving himself.  With the cannabis, he began to eat and became healthy.

However, there are those who oppose the use of marijuana for any reason.  Jeff  Barnard of the Associated Press reported on April 4, 2011,that medical marijuana users in Oregon are now fighting for the right to carry a concealed handgun.  Some officers in the area find the idea ridiculous; however, the courts are siding with the patients.

"’The whole medical marijuana issue is a concern to sheriffs across the country who are involved in it mainly because there is so much potential for abuse or for misuse and as a cover for organized criminal activity,’ said Washington County Sheriff Rob Gordon, who became part of the Willis case because his office turned down three medical marijuana patients in the Portland suburbs for concealed handgun permits. ‘You can't argue that people aren't misusing that statute in Oregon.

‘Not everybody, of course. Some have real medical reasons. But ...the larger group happens be people who are very clearly abusing it,’" Barnard reported.

Bernard Rimland, Ph.D., founder of the Autism Society of America, expresses that medical marijuana is useful in the right uses but urges the public to understand that there is a difference in legal medical marijuana use and illegal drug abuse.  The problem that the officers are having is that it seems to be legally getting into the hands of people who don’t benefit medically but only use the marijuana for the high.

Also, whether or not to arm a child with legalized marijuana is a touch issue.  Children have a harder time understanding the differences and may feel that if they can legally use the marijuana then they can also share it with friends.  Most parents are responsible enough to keep this from happening but there are detrimental effects of using marijuana on a regular basis.

Medical marijuana is not legal in Tennessee but Sen. Marrero has reintroduced into the Tennessee legislature the “Safe Access to Medical Cannabis Act” which did not pass in last year’s session.  The bill would allow for legal access to medical marijuana for certain medical conditions.  The bill is not expected to pass this year either, but the Senator hopes with continued support it will reach the people in the future.