Legal cannabis for the rest of us?

By Madison Park, CNN

Marijuana can relieve pain and even depression to some extent, but can also impair motor function.

(CNN) -- Marijuana makes you slow and raises the risk of addiction, memory problems and cognitive functions, some health agencies warn.

But its enthusiasts counter that in addition to fueling creativity, pot is a natural herb with health benefits, relieving pain and improving quality of life for chronically ill patients.

Medical use of marijuana is legal in 14 states and the District of Columbia. On Tuesday, California voters will decide whether their state will be the first to legalize recreational marijuana use.

The vote on Proposition 19 is being closely watched as the Golden State is often seen as a bellwether. It was the first state to authorize medicinal marijuana in 1996.

Prop 19 would allow people 21 and older to possess, cultivate or transport up to 1 ounce of marijuana for personal use.

The intense debate about marijuana legalization has caused science to get lost in the rhetorical shuffle, said Alan Budney, professor of psychiatry and a research scientist in the Center for Addiction Research at the University of Arkansas.

"The government wants to put things out in sound bites," he said. "The pro-marijuana camp puts out sound bites. It's all or nothing."

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