What is the difference between medical marijuana and regular (or nonmedical as they are calling it) marijuana?

Here is what my great state of NC is trying to do with it……………………………
http://www.wxii12.com/health/19779415/detail.html

The difference - in 14 states - legality - the rest is ARrest.

Well, I am not sure that there is any difference as far it’s physical makeup. The difference, as noted above, that some states have legalized it and some have not.

What has always puzzled me about this debate is the supposed difference: why legalize it for medical reasons and not for general use? Why does the government not do that to alcohol or tobacco?  We all know both kills people, either directly or indirectly.

Just to clarify, there are many drugs used in medicine that are illegal for general use - narcotic pain medications is a glaring example.  Of course they are obtainable thru illegal means.

It is hard for me to understand the difference between a person with good insurance going to the doctor and getting a prescription for pills to help relax/sleep and the good old boy construction worker with no insurance who has a drink at night to help him relax/sleep.

Where I live the former is an accepted church member and the latter is a drunkard that needs to repent.  I don’t get it?

I’ve heard marijuanna helps relieve pain, reduces anxiety, and even helps some patients regain their appetites.  Sure it can get you high, but so can diet pills and lots of other prescription medication.