Can doctors prescribe marijuana in states that have legalized the medical use of cannabis? The answer is no. Marijuana is classified by the federal government as a Schedule 1 drug, so doctors can only recommend or certify that a patient has a medical condition that qualifies for the use of marijuana for medical purposes. The requirements for the recommendation vary by state. It all adds up to an often-conflicting patchwork of state and federal laws regarding medical marijuana that is confusing for doctors, patients, and caregivers.