On Monday, October 19, the Justice Department made those intentions into policy as new guidelines were released. And to announce those rules, a memo was sent to federal prosecutors in the 14 states that allow for medical marijuana to note that those who distribute and use the drug in accordance with state laws will not face federal prosecution. While attention will still be paid to those who grow and sell marijuana illegally as a “core priority” of the Justice Department, state laws respecting medicinal uses will be honored.

Holder also issued a statement in concurrence with the memo that read, in part: “It will not be a priority to use federal resources to prosecute patients with serious illnesses or their caregivers who are complying with state laws on medical marijuana. But we will not tolerate drug traffickers who hide behind claims of compliance with state law to mask activities that are clearly illegal.”

The beneficiaries of the new policy are those with serious illnesses, such as cancer, AIDS, glaucoma, and multiple sclerosis. Marijuana often eases pain in sufferers of such diseases, especially during harsh treatments like chemotherapy, by reducing nausea and increasing appetites. When other prescription medications are found to be ineffective in some patients, marijuana is prescribed in the 14 states that have legalized it for such purposes.

Under the Bush Administration, patients and suppliers often found themselves in the midst of federal raids and court cases to defend themselves and their state’s law, one that conflicts with that of the federal government. But knowing that the Obama-run Justice Department will not pursue such cases will allow users and distributors of medical marijuana to rest easier.

A continued increase in the number of requests for medical marijuana is predicted as a result of the new policy. By April of 2009, reports surfaced of requests rising as much as 300 percent as fears of prosecution waned and confidence in state laws strengthened. Some of the rise was attributed to the fact that more Americans lack health insurance and can obtain medical marijuana as a pain reliever with less expense than seeking a prescription for other drugs from a doctor, but much of the increase seems to be come from those finally embracing marijuana as a legal and viable treatment for chronic conditions. Those numbers will continue to rise as evidence of the respect for state laws is proven by the lack of Justice Department interference.