ATTORNEY GENERAL SIGNALS SHIFT IN MARIJUANA POLICY

WASHINGTON - Attorney General Eric Holder signaled a change on medical
marijuana policy Wednesday, saying federal agents will target
marijuana distributors only when they violate both federal and state
law.

That would be a departure from the policy of the Bush administration,
which targeted medical marijuana dispensaries in California even if
they complied with that state's law.

"The policy is to go after those people who violate both federal and
state law," Holder said in a question-and-answer session with
reporters at the Justice Department.

Medical marijuana advocates in California welcomed the news, but said
they still worried about the pending cases of those already in court
on drug charges.

California law permits the sale of marijuana for medical purposes,
though it still is against federal law.

Holder did not spell out exactly who no longer would face the prospect
of raids by the Drug Enforcement Administration. But he was quick to
add that law enforcement officers will target anyone who tries to "use
medical marijuana laws as a shield" for other illegal activity.

"Given the limited resources that we have, our focus will be on
people, organizations that are growing, cultivating substantial
amounts of marijuana and doing so in a way that's inconsistent with
federal and state law," the attorney general said.

Advocates and government officials had been waiting since President
Barack Obama was sworn into office for a clear signal on what the new
president's drug policy would be toward medical marijuana. As a
candidate, he repeatedly promised a change in policy in situations in
which state laws allow the use of medical marijuana.

Yet shortly after Obama took office, DEA agents raided four
dispensaries in Los Angeles, prompting confusion about the
government's plans.

Thirteen states have laws permitting medicinal use of marijuana.