Book excerpt: After decades of misinformation about cannabis largely due to the well-funded propaganda campaign in the 1930s, public attitudes toward the drug have finally begun to evolve. In 1996, California became the first state to legalize medical marijuana and since then, 28 other states, 2 U.S. territories, and the District of Columbia have followed suit. Now countless patients are reaping the benefits of this amazing resource which has been used to effectively treat everything from chronic pain to debilitating illnesses. In The Medical Marijuana Guide: Cannabis and Your Health, Dr. Patricia Frye takes a direct, no-nonsense approach to educating readers about cannabis and its medicinal qualities. After having retired from medicine, Dr. Frye was offered an opportunity to practice cannabis treatment. Intrigued, she educated herself on this emerging alternative and is now ready to share with others what she has learned. In this book, using humorous and touching stories from the many situations she has encountered in her practice over the years, Dr. Frye provides valuable information about the undeniable medicinal qualities of cannabis. This book helps to de-stigmatize this misunderstood drug and educate readers on the history of cannabis and how it is used by the medical community today. This is an accessible, enjoyable resource that will not only entertain readers, but may change their lives for the better.