The East European nation of Romania has approved the use of marijuana for medical purposes, according to neighboring Bulgaria's Sofia News Agency, citing Romanian sources. It becomes the 10th European Union country to do so.

Legislators in Bucharest amended the country's drug laws to provide that marijuana-derived medicines can be used to relieve pain and reduce seizures in diseases including epilepsy, cancer, and multiple sclerosis.

The possession and use of marijuana for non-medical purposes remains illegal.

Researchers in Romania are currently studying the efficacy of marijuana for patients with Alzheimer's Disease, Parkinson's Disease, and Tourette's Syndrome.

It's not clear whether marijuana's efficacy for treating a particular disease or disorder must be proven before it can be used to treat that disease or disorder.

[For extensive information about the medical marijuana debate, presented in a neutral format, visit MedicalMarijuana.ProCon.org.]