A RATIONAL POLICY ON MEDICAL MARIJUANA

For years federal officials have acknowledged that some components of
marijuana provide relief to patients undergoing treatment for serious
illnesses, yet the government's policy has consistently been to
prosecute those who distribute or smoke it for medical reasons.

But seven months ago U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder said the Obama
administration would stop raids on medical marijuana dispensers, and
last week he announced a wholesale and welcome change of policy: The
federal government will no longer prosecute those who dispense or
smoke pot in states that allow marijuana for medicinal use.

Whether one believes medical marijuana laws are courageous or
misguided, the new policy will bring relief to people who are terribly
sick and honors the concept of states' rights

Previously the Bush administration, bolstered by Supreme Court rulings
emphasizing federal supremacy over state laws, made frequent raids on
distributors of medical marijuana in states where it is legal to
dispense. It did not matter whether the dispensaries appeared to be
complying with state laws. Federal drug laws prevailed.

But the Obama Justice Department has rightly decided it is not a good
use of time or money to arrest people who use or provide medical
marijuana in the 14 states where it is legal.

Significantly, the new policy makes clear that federal authorities
will pursue people whose marijuana distribution goes beyond what is
permitted under state law or who use medical marijuana as a cover for
other crimes.

Some Republicans have complained that the new policy condones drug use
and is a tactical retreat in the fight against Mexican drug cartels,
but that's nonsense. It remains federal policy to curtail the growth,
distribution, sale and use of marijuana, and individual states can
decide whether to make an exception for medical use.

Moreover, prosecutors will have wide discretion to choose which cases
to pursue

Drug agents have bigger jobs than to go after cancer patients who use
marijuana to alleviate their suffering. And conservatives should be
pleased that, at least in one area, the Obama administration is
willing to let states decide what is best for them.