A new U.S. Justice Department policy easing up on the prosecution of people using medical marijuana is expected to affect pending IIlinois legislation.

Justice officials are urging federal prosecutors to stop targeting patients who use medical marijuana and those who supply it. A recent three-page memo told federal prosecutors that it's not a good use of time to arrest people who use or provide medical marijuana in compliance with state law.

In May, the Illinois Senate passed the Compassionate Use of Medical Cannabis Pilot Program Act (SB 1381). The House is expected to vote on the bill either during the November veto session or when it returns in January.

If passed, the act will make it legal for Illinois residents who have been diagnosed with "a debilitating medical condition" to possess up to seven dried cannabis plants and two ounces of dried "usable" cannabis." The patients would have to be registered with, and issued an identification card from, the Illinois Department of Public Health.

The new federal policy likely will influence state-level decisions, state Rep. Mike Boland, D-East Moline, said Monday.

"I don't know if it will make a difference in Illinois," he added. "But I think it will make a difference in many of the other states that are considering (legalizing medical marijuana). My guess is, gradually, medical marijuana is going to spread in acceptance across the country."

Rep. Boland said he has not decided how he will vote on Illinois' bill.

"I'll have to really look at the bill very carefully," he said. "I'd like to see (medical marijuana) be available for those who are in severe pain with cancer or some other debilitating disease. We just have to be careful that the bill does not go too far.

"I've had talks with people on both sides of the issue. We'll have to see if this bill has been refined,"Rep. Boland said. "Hopefully it has and has met the objections of law enforcement. But this is probably a coming thing. If someone is in severe pain from a dreadful disease and medical marijuana can help them, then so be it."

State Rep. Pat Verschoore, D-MIlan, said the new federal mandate could affect how some lawmakers vote. He added he's still weighing the pros and cons.

"I don't know yet where I am on that issue," he said. "One part of me says to go ahead and vote for it because it helps the patients. Then I've talked to some (law enforcement officials) that say it's really not a good thing. I'm going to listen to all the testimony in the House and then make up my mind."

State Sen. Mike Jacobs, D-East Moline, who voted for SB 1381, said the Justice Department stance is a step in the right direction.

"There are obviously certain illnesses that can be relieved by marijuana, and obviously that's a less toxic drug than many of those prescribed by doctors every day," Sen. Jacobs said. "People should be able to use that if their doctor thinks it's a good idea.

"Most of the time, we're talking about people who are very ill. I believe that doctors should be able to prescribe it," he said. "And no one should be punished for using marijuana if it relieves their illness.

"It would be wise for us to grow up on this issue a little bit."

The new guidelines issued by the Justice Department make it clear that federal agents will continue to go after people who distribute marijuana beyond what's permitted under state law or those who use medical marijuana as a cover for other crimes.