Patients who need medical marijuana are constantly caught in the crossfire between the State and the Feds. In early 2008, the battle intensified yet again.  The DEA, which had been after medical marijuana dispensaries and clubs throughout California, closed 7 of 28 clubs in San Francisco, and threatened action against others.

The city of Berkeley declared itself a “medical marijuana sanctuary” which would not cooperate with the Feds in the event that they went after dispensaries there. At the same time, Marijuana vending machines were placed in Los Angeles to ease access for dispensary users there, with the Feds threatening closure. Since 1996, 12 states have legalized medical marijuana use, placing them at odds with federal law.

The science of medical marijuana is also still controversial, despite strong evidence of benefits under certain circumstances. Still, some researchers and health insurance providers have contended that medical marijuana causes cancer.