U.S. halts prosecutions for use of medical marijuana

"It will not be a priority to use federal resources to prosecute patients with serious illnesswes 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," explained Attorney General Eric Holder. "This balanced policy formalizes a sensible approach that the Department has been following since January: effectively focus our resources on serious drug traffickers while taking into account state and local laws."

Although the Justice Department move, when considered against a background of what many consider a host of outrageous drug laws, is a small one, it will end policies that were widely seen as unjust.

People in states that have legalized marijuana for medical use will no longer be subject to arrest, trial and imprisonment under federal laws.

Under federal law cancer patients using marijuana legally prescribed in their states had their property and homes seized and sold off at government auctions.