Policy analysis: Proposition 215--Compassionate Use Act of 1996, the medical marijuana initiative

The purpose of this study is to present, through secondary literature, an analysis of Proposition 215---The Compassionate Use Act of 1996. The debate over medical marijuana appears to be one of politics versus emotions. Medical use of marijuana for persons with terminal illnesses is rarely discussed without some consideration of the social context. The two basic ideologies underlying the debate on making marijuana a prescribable drug appear straightforward: compassion for the suffering versus prevention of increased illicit drug use.;This study provides a historical overview of drug policy in the United States and utilizes David Gil's framework to systematically review and analyze Proposition 215.