Most people think cannabis is a totally illegal substance but this is not always the case. While most countries have laws controlling the possessions and use of cannabis for recreational use, certain forms of the plant are legal as are certain uses. Essentially, in some countries, people are allowed to own and use cannabis for medical reasons, and to own seeds as long as they're not germinated. Here's your legal lowdown on marijuana possession and use. Cannabis is a drug which was demonized in the last century. But the cannabis plant (also known as hemp or marijuana) was one of the world's most important crops for millennia. It was used as to make clothes and paper, taken by mystics to gain transcendental experiences, and was widely used as a medicine to treat a wide range of conditions. Due its narcotic effects, cannabis was criminalized in most countries of the world during the 20th century. For example, in the United States, hemp became illegal in 1937. However in recent decades there has been a softening of the law in certain countries such as the Netherlands and Denmark. These countries have decriminalized possession of small amounts for personal use while maintaining harsh laws against trafficking and dealing. Cannabis has also been made legal for medical use in some places. Recognizing the properties of the drug to treat certain serious medical conditions, governments have made it available to sufferers under controlled conditions. Cannabis shows considerable promise as a medicine. It has long been used as an analgesic for pain relief, an anti-emetic to relieve nausea, and as an appetite stimulant. These properties make it perfect for use with modern diseases such as HIV/AIDS in which patients frequently suffer from all of the above conditions. Cancer is another condition against which marijuana has been shown to be effective, particularly in the control of the severe nausea caused by chemotherapy. It as also been shown as being effective against Multiple Sclerosis and epilepsy. Clearly any substance that can help people suffering from such serious conditions needs to be taken advantage of. And in many countries, this is happening. At the time of writing, medicinal marijuana is legal in Canada, Australia, the Netherlands, Spain and in some parts of the United States. Marijuana use and possession is illegal under U.S. federal law. In the United States the control of medical marijuana is carried out on a state by state basis. For example, the states of Arizona and New Mexico require medical marijuana distributors to acquire licenses from the state. California and Maine are two states that distribute marijuana legally through dispensaries. In California, individuals can apply for a government-issued card for medicinal marijuana. The UK downgraded the classification of cannabis from Class B to Class C in 2004 which meant that it now ranks alongside bodybuilding steroids and some anti-depressants. Possession of cannabis is not now an arrest able offence in most cases. However the medical use of marijuana is still prohibited in the UK though judges have frequently acquitted offenders who have been able to demonstrate a medical need. On the other hand, others have been prosecuted. It seems to depend on which part of the country the offender lives in. Essentially in the UK, a drug can only be supplied, possessed or administered under a special license issued by the Home Office. Another factor to consider is that some authorities make a distinction as to which part of the plant is involved when determining legality. For example, the way things stand today, in the United States, it is legal to possess the roots, stalk, and stems of the cannabis plant. After all, who is going to arrest you for wearing a hemp shirt? However the flowers, buds and leaves of the plant are illegal and its possession and possession and use can lead to severe penalties. As for the seeds, they're legal as long as they're sterilized. In the UK, it's legal to buy, possess or trade cannabis seeds and a number of online vendors now offer a wide range of strains for purchase over the Internet. These seeds are sold as fish bait and as genetic preservation souvenirs for the day when their germination will be legal. You can browse the web sites of these vendors and find such specialties as homegrown fantaseeds and sensi seeds available for purchase. If you're over the age of 21, you can just place your order and your seeds will be delivered by post.
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