The news just keeps getting better for medical marijuana. A new survey from California recently found that 92 percent of patients say it alleviates their chronic pain, migraines, and arthritis. The research sampled a representative 7,525 adults, and roughly 5 percent of them reported using cannabis for health reasons.

We recently spoke with Steph Sherer, the executive director of Americans for Safe Access, who made the case for why many people prefer medical cannabis: "[they] find they are intolerant of the side-effects of prescription drugs that treat their ailments," she said. "Research has shown that in states with medical marijuana programs there has been a reduction in suicide rates and overdose deaths from opiates. Because it is simultaneously a pain killer, anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective agent, a single dose of marijuana can replace a handful of pharmaceuticals."

Perhaps this is why many of the prominent anti-marijuana doctors, such as Dr. Herbet Kebler of Columbia University and Dr. A. Eden Evins of Harvard Medical School, have strong financial ties to Pharmaceutical companies, who manufacture painkillers.

A recent study from JAMA Internal Medicine also found "there was about a 25% lower rate of prescription painkiller overdose deaths on average after implementation of a medical marijuana law" from 1999 to 2010.

Currently, 20 states, plus the District of Columbia have some form of medical marijuana legislation on the books.

Yet despite clear evidence in favor of medical cannabis' benefits, many politicians still vehemently oppose the notion.

Former Florida Governor Jeb Bush recently advised constituents to vote against a medical marijuana ballot measure in the upcoming midterm election, claiming that marijuana operations work “under the guise of using it for medicinal purposes.” But even recreational marijuana is proving to have positive results, both from a mental health and economic perspective. In Colorado, where recreational marijuana is legal, there are an estimated 7,500 to 10,000 jobs created by the industry. Washington State, which also legalized recreational marijuana, is predicted to gain roughly $190 million in revenue over a four year period from marijuana production and sales, including the obligatory taxes and license fees. The only way to ensure change for medicinal or recreational marijuana legalization is to get out and vote in this year's midterm election. To register to vote, click here.