The marijuana vending machines were first introduced in Los Angeles in January of 2008. Access to the machines are restricted to those with valid medical marijuana cards. In order to obtain marijuana from the machine, fingerprint verification is necessary; a special magnetic card is also required before the marijuana is distributed.http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,326634,00.html

• Medical marijuana laws are on the books in the following states: Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont and Washingtonhttp://norml.org/index.cfm?Group_ID=3391

• Each state has specific laws and requirements for obtaining a legal medical marijuana card

• Federal law: Illegal to possess or use without medical marijuana prescriptionhttp://www.nida.nih.gov/infofacts/marijuana.html

• Uses for medical marijuana: pain, chronic pain, nausea, chemotherapy, cancer, insomnia and glaucoma

• Hazards: lung cancer (if consumed via smoking), cognitive impairment, mood swingshttp://www.nida.nih.gov/infofacts/marijuana.html

1. Also called: Cannabis
2. Slang terms: Weed, grass, pot, Mary Jane
3. Effects: Euphoria, relaxation, appetite stimulation, fatigue, blood-shot eyes
4. As many as 20 million Americans use it per yearhttp://psychcentral.com/library/sa_factsm.htm
5. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NDIA), more than 14 million Americans said they tried marijuana in 2007http://www.nida.nih.gov/infofacts/marijuana.html
6. 80 million have used it during their lifetime
7. Jewish religious law: Not kosher for Passover