According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, scientific studies on the active chemicals in marijuana are called cannabinoids. This has led the FDA to develop two approved drugs and is in the process of developing pharmaceuticals that control the therapeutic benefits of cannabinoids while decreasing harmful side effects, including eating or smoking the leaves. Currently, there are two main cannabinoids that are of therapeutic interest, namely (THC) tetrahydrocannabinol and (CBD) cannabidiol, which are found in various proportions in the marijuana plant. THC stimulates the appetite and reduces nausea (there are other THC medications approved for this purpose), and it may decrease pain, spasticity, and inflammation. CBD is considered a non-psychoactive cannabinoid that may also be helpful in decreasing pain, inflammation, controlling seizures, and treating psychosis and addiction. A June 2014 article in the New England Journal of Medicine presented research that supported the existence of both short- and long-term consequences related to marijuana use. , impaired judgment that leads to increased risk of engagement in sexual behaviors and highly induced paranoia and psychosis. • Long term: addiction, impaired brain development, cognitive impairment, poor academic performance, reduced life satisfaction and achievement, severe chronic respiratory symptoms, and increased risk. psychosis and schizophrenia.Criminal Drug Policy Development and Drug EnforcementAccording to the 2014 National Drug Control Strategy, President Barack Obama outlined a n..... . middle of paper ......al Comorbiolity SurveyBundey, A, J., Roffman, R., Stephens, RS, Walker, D., Marijuana addiction and its treatments. Addict Sci Clin Pract. 2007; 4 (1): 4-16Bureau of Justice Statistics, (1992) December, Drugs, Crime and the Justice SystemGoode, E. (1970). Marijuana smokers (pp. 201-202). New York: Basic BooksHall, W. Adverse health effects of cannabis use: what are they and what are their policy implications? Introduction J to drug policy. 2009:20:458-466 Hawkins, JD, Catalano, RF and Miller, JY, (1992). Protective factors against risks associated with alcohol and other drug problems in adolescence and young adulthood: Implications for drug abuse prevention. Psychological bulletin. 112 (1): 64-105McCaig, L. (1995) (November): Preliminary estimates from the Drug Abuse Warning Network: (1994) Preliminary estimates of drug-related episodes in emergency departments.