Momentum Swinging Against Medical Marijuana

Meantime, patients seeking medical marijuana may have to travel further because of dispensary closures.

Medical studies have shown that marijuana works well to treat pain and muscle spasms among those suffering from Lou Gehrig's disease, says Dr. Greg Carter, a physician based in Washington state and co-author of “Medical Marijuana 101.”

Marijuana is also used to treat cancer, severe nausea, multiple sclerosis and chronic pain from such incidents as whiplash.

Montana resident Sarah Baugh has been using medical marijuana to successfully treat epilepsy, something traditional pharmaceuticals couldn't do.

Patients say medical-grade cannabis is difficult to cultivate at home, and that black market marijuana isn't as effective at treating illnesses.

Says Fox of the Marijuana Policy Project: “Whether they like to admit it or not, current federal actions are hurting individual patients and funding the criminals they are supposed to be targeting."