In the last decade, 34 States have legislatively determined that marijuana has legitimate medical uses for the treatment of life-threatening and sense-threatening illnesses. Testimony before Judge Young has established that marijuana could help alleviate the suffering of hundreds of thousands of cancer, glaucoma, and spasticity patients. In addition, no scientific studies have ever suggested a causal relationship between regulatory acceptance of the medical use of a drug and increased adolescent or adult abuse of that drug. Finally, rescheduling would leave unchanged the criminal sanctions against illicit use of marijuana. Accepting Judge Young's recommendations would be medically compassionate action consistent with the requirements drug laws and a tough drug policy. Notes and 6 references.