Marijuana is the subject of a great deal of debate. The only constant in the marijuana debate is disagreement. People disagree about the illegality of marijuana. They disagree about whether it is addictive.

They disagree about its medical benefits. They disagree about it leading to the use of other drugs. Some argue that marijuana is a menace to society; others insist that it is not particularly harmful to individuals or society. Clearly there is very little agreement about anything regarding marijuana, and uncovering the truth is difficult.

Getting to the Heart of the Issues

After alcohol and tobacco, marijuana is the most widely consumed drug in the world, a bewildering fact in light of its almost universal illegality.

In the United States, as in other parts of the world, the ongoing debate over the legalization of marijuana is often less...