Ed Rosenthal and Steve Kubby

Ed Rosenthal and Steve Kubby are the authors of the book Why Marijuana Should Be Legal, from which this viewpoint is excerpted. They argue that marijuana is effective at relieving pain, controlling nausea, and stimulating the appetite, and is successfully used to treat a large number of medical problems, including asthma, AIDS, depression, and glaucoma. Marinol, a synthetic formulation of THC—the chemical in marijuana that is responsible for many of its soothing effects—is not nearly as effective as natural marijuana, they claim. Millions of people are suffering needlessly because of the prohibition against using medical marijuana, Rosenthal and Kubby assert. They conclude that marijuana should be decriminalized.

As you read, consider the following questions:

1. What is the difference between Schedule I and Schedule II drugs, as cited by...