Medical marijuana

WASHINGTON, Oct. 20 (UPI) -- The U.S. Justice Department said it won't prosecute users and suppliers of medical marijuana.

The department said such arrests were unnecessary in states that provide for the use of marijuana for medical purposes since the people involved were following state laws. The announcement reverses policies put in place by the Bush administration, which argued federal law took precedence.

The use of medical marijuana is legal in 13 states. The substance is usually prescribed to fight nausea, especially caused by treatments such as chemotherapy, and chronic pain brought on by some illnesses.

U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder, in announcing the policy change, said prosecution following medical marijuana arrests took resources from the department that could better be used elsewhere.