With the major and ongoing controversy over the legalization of marijuana, medical marijuana has been thrust into the spotlight as an excuse for why marijuana is " Good ". But with the so-called advances in medical marijuana, more and more doctors are prescribing it to anyone claiming to have headaches and are now shifting their clientele to young children and teenagers who aren't even old enough to know the harm long term medical marijuana. “medications” that their doctors so willingly prescribe. While many doctors are beginning to jump on the medical weed bandwagon, others continue to denounce its effects; especially on minors. To prevent permanent harm to young children, medical marijuana should be prohibited for anyone under 18 years of age. Medical marijuana is being used much more frequently than in the past, and underage teenagers are beginning to be prescribed weed for minor mental inhibitions. that normal medications would help, like ADHD. According to Dr. Jean Talleyrand, founder of MediCann, his practices have treated up to 50 minor children with ADHD. The lack of legitimate excuses for why this drug is given to children is alarming. Very few minors prescribed this drug have life-threatening illnesses for which the drug could do good (AIDS or cancer, to name a few). According to Dr. Stephen Hinshaw, chairman of the psychology department at UC Berkeley, has noted in several of his studies that THC (which is the active ingredient in marijuana) actually causes the same effects that are prevalent in cases of ADHD: lack of attention, memory and concentration. Not only are the excuses becoming less and less legitimate, but the constant use of drugs while underage is...... middle of paper ......://www.ktla.com /news/extras/ktla-sweeps-sams-story,0,6959760.story>. “Medical Marijuana for Minors with ADHD.” Thaimedicalnews.com November 23, 2009: n. page. Internet. March 1, 2011. .Ellison, Katherine. “Medical marijuana: no longer just for adults.” NYtimes.com. The New York Times, November 21, 2009. Web. March 10, 2011. .University of Cincinnati. "Marijuana use takes a toll on teen Brian's functioning, research shows." ScienceDaily October 15, 2008. March 1, 2011. http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/10/081014111156.htmThe Bantam Medical Dictionary. 6th edition. New York, New York: Bantam Dell (a division of Random House, Inc.), 2009. Print.