NORTH COAST POT DISPENSARIES WELCOME FEDERAL POLICY CHANGE

North Coast medical marijuana growers and distributors offered guarded
optimism to news that federal authorities are expected to stop raiding
California pot dispensaries.

In general, we are very happy about it," said John Sugg, president of
the Sonoma Patient Group in Santa Rosa. "It makes us feel better we're
not going to be attacked just for political reasons."

The federal government has not recognized state laws that legalized
marijuana for medicinal use. U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder said
this week that the administration of President Barack Obama is
changing the policy.

Obama said during the campaign that states should make their own rules
on medical marijuana.

That just means that local law enforcement will be in charge," Sugg
said.

He said the news could make medical marijuana patients feel safer from
prosecution. But it won't have a significant impact on North Bay
dispensaries. "In the North Bay, the DEA hasn't raided a dispensary
for about four years," he said.

Sugg's sentiments were shared by Jim Hill, a Mendocino County medical
marijuana advocate and grower.

We only have one club here. They weren't really targeting them here,"
he said. "It's probably more of an advantage in Southern
California."

Four marijuana clubs in the Los Angeles area were raided by federal
agents Feb. 2.

Hill predicted that medical marijuana laws will change with or without
a presidential policy revision, noting there are several pending legal
challenges that many expect will change how medical marijuana laws are
enforced.

I think the handwriting was on the wall. This way it's going to happen
a little sooner," he said.

A man working at the D & M Compassion Center, a dispensary in
Clearlake, said he was uncertain how the policy change might affect
medical marijuana patients and dispensaries in Lake County.

But "I think it's a good thing," said the man, who did not wish to be
identified.