"Wait, there's a debate over ______?": medical marijuana

Seriously? Why?

If there's a naturally abundant plant that's very safe and very affective at treating ailments, why ban it?

Typically, drugs are approved by the FDA based on safety and effectiveness.

Even with cures that aren't FDA-approved, it's the doctor that gets in trouble, not the patient that's jailed.

Now, I understand that normal citizens aren't allowed to smoke it (they should be, but that's another issue), but the same is true of all prescribed medications.

Just... just explain this debate to me, will ya?