Proposition 215 (California)

Proposition 215, passed in California in 1996, legalized medical marijuana, allowing patients with qualifying conditions and their primary caregivers to use and possess marijuana for medical purposes. It also permits doctors to recommend marijuana as a treatment and protects these patients from criminal charges. The law emphasizes patient rights and medical necessity, establishing a framework for medical marijuana use that balances access with regulatory oversight, although it leaves many specifics to state and local regulations.