Medical marijuana is currently legal in 33 U.S. states, with 10 of those states also green-lighting recreational use. Last year Canada legalized cannabis on a Federal level. With so many jurisdictions in North America lifting prohibitions on marijuana, the medical field is now rife with opportunities to test the therapeutic potential of the formerly controlled substance.
In Colorado, which permits recreational use, one study is underway with hopes of discovering whether the cannabinoid cannabidiol (CBD) — a natural compound present in cannabis — could aid recovery from traumatic brain injuries. CBD does not possess any psychoactive components, so it does not contribute to the psychotropic effects associated with smoking/ingesting marijuana.