Medical marijuana

Medical marijuana refers to the clinical use of whole-plant Cannabis sativa or minimally processed plant-derived preparations (flower, concentrates, tinctures, edibles) authorized under state medical cannabis programs in the United States and analogous national programs elsewhere. Unlike dronabinol, nabilone, or cannabidiol oral solution, medical marijuana products are not FDA-approved as safe and effective for any indication; accordingly, clinicians typically "recommend" or "certify" a qualifying patient rather than "prescribe," because federal law still classifies non-hemp cannabis as Schedule I (NIDA; HHS 2016 scheduling analysis). State programs set their own qualifying condition lists (commonly including chronic pain, PTSD, severe nausea, cachexia, epilepsy, and MS spasticity), dosing forms, and possession limits. Product standardization, potency labeling accuracy, and cannabinoid content vary widely between jurisdictions and dispensaries. Medical marijuana is clinically and regulatorily distinct from FDA-approved cannabinoid medicines (Marinol, Syndros, Cesamet, Epidiolex); the latter are evidence-based, lot-consistent pharmaceuticals while medical marijuana remains an access framework rather than a formal regulated medication. → See also: Epidiolex, Dronabinol, Off-label.