The Obama Administration Enacts A New Policy Regarding Medical Marijuana

In a move that was reported on the front page of today's New York Times, it was revealed that people who use marijuana for medical purposes (as well as their distributors) would no longer be subjected to federal prosecution. The directive, which is a sharp contrast from the policies of the Bush administration, was sent to prosecutors in the 14 states that allow the use of marijuana for medical purposes. Attorney General Eric Holder affirmed that the United States would continue to target those who traffick marijuana illegally, but explained that going after those who use marijuana for pain relief was a thing of the past.