Seminar paper from the year 2012 in the subject Health - Public Health, grade: B, New York University, language: English, abstract: The issue of medical marijuana has been a challenge to both federal and state authorities for several decades. Recently, with more states legalizing marijuana, this social problem has taken on new proportions mainly because at the Federal level possession even for medical purposes is still an offence. The states that have legalized medical marijuana, have been grappling with problems surrounding mushrooming of dispensaries, an increase in doctor referrals and issues of taxation. Solutions involve streamlining a system for effective registration, distribution and regulation imposition of an effective system of taxation. In addition, medical marijuana needs to be be decriminalized by the federal authorities.