Canada today becomes the first nation to legalize marijuana for medical use, prompting a warning to doctors around the country to watch out for fake applications from people who are not really sick.
A Canadian Press report carried by the C-Health Web site says chronically and terminally ill patients can apply to grow and use pot if they have statements from two doctors saying that conventional treatments haven't worked.
The partial decriminalization of pot for medical use, prompted by a court order, was made despite mixed public feeling. A national poll found a slight majority against any change in the marijuana laws. Scrolling through this site by the Canadian Foundation for Drug Policy will give you a rundown on the debate and history of the change in the marijuana regulations.
For a history of attempts to legalize medical use of marijuana in the United States, check this University of Toronto site.
