Story highlights The law would have gone into effect January 1

Conversion therapy has been being hotly debated

The therapy can can help turn a gay person straight some say

Critics say it does not work

An appeals court slapped an injunction on a new California state law that would ban conversion therapy for minors -- a method some say can help turn a gay person straight.

The federal panel of three judges at the U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled Friday to block the law that would prevent young people under 18 from undergoing the controversial treatment.

It would have gone into effect January 1.

The ruling will keep the law, the first of its kind in the United States, from being instituted until it can be argued at future court hearings.

Conversion therapy has been being hotly debated across the country for some time.

JUST WATCHED Outlawing gay conversion therapy Replay More Videos ... MUST WATCH Outlawing gay conversion therapy 04:28

JUST WATCHED Therapy claims to change homosexuals Replay More Videos ... MUST WATCH Therapy claims to change homosexuals 03:27

JUST WATCHED Lawsuit over therapy to change sexuality Replay More Videos ... MUST WATCH Lawsuit over therapy to change sexuality 04:33

JUST WATCHED Plaintiff: They used oranges as testicles Replay More Videos ... MUST WATCH Plaintiff: They used oranges as testicles 02:37

Some psychologists insist conversion therapy is dangerous to patients, and say it simply does not work.

"To date, there has been no scientifically adequate research to show that therapy aimed at changing sexual orientation (sometimes called reparative or conversion therapy) is safe or effective," the American Psychological Association writes on its website.

"Furthermore, it seems likely that the promotion of change therapies reinforces stereotypes and contributes to a negative climate for lesbian, gay, and bisexual persons," says the APA, the largest scientific and professional organization representing psychology in the United States.

David Pickup, a spokesman for the National Association for Research and Therapy of Homosexuality, believes conversion therapy is valid and should be used.

"We do competent therapy, therapy that truly works," he told CNN in October, adding that he'd undergone the treatment himself and was treating others.