Cannabis has enjoyed a strained relationship with America in the past, yet a growing number of states are legalizing the plant. The cannabis condemnation began in the 1930s with propaganda like the now infamous “Reefer Madness” film that emphasized the negative effects of the drug. Although there are a number of studies on cannabis, only 6% of them analyze the plant’s medicinal properties: as of 2012 there were over 20 cannabinoids that were studied by the United States Food and Drug Administration for medical use. While more studies still need to be done, it seems that the medical benefits of the drug have changed the way that many states treat cannabis.

Medical Cannabis: A National Movement

When California first allowed patients to legally purchase cannabis for medical use in 1996, it caused widespread controversy around the nation. Today there are now 23 states that allow medical cannabis, including the District of Columbia. Four states have legalized cannabis for recreational use on top of this. Today up to 76% of doctors approve of medical cannabis use; a study published in the Journal of Cannabis Therapeutics shows that around 30,000 California patients and an additional 5,000 patients from other states possessed a physician’s recommendation for medical cannabis use.

Starting a Medical Marijuana Business

Many Americans have seen the shift in legislation as an opportunity; investing in the cannabis industry can be a potentially lucrative move. Since every state is different regarding cannabis, many would-be investors have gotten in-touch with marijuana business consulting agencies to plan every detail from sales and production to the medical marijuana facility design itself. Like any business, proper cannabis business development requires experience that many individuals may not possess — the right medical marijuana facility design is crucial to those looking to profit from their investment. As time goes on, more studies are supporting the medicinal effects of cannabis; this continues to challenge the outdated stigma of cannabis as “Reefer Madness.”