S.J. PULLS OFFICERS FROM U.S. DRUG TASK FORCE

Citing a "clear conflict between federal and state law," San Jose Police
Chief William Lansdowne has pulled his officers from the U.S. Drug
Enforcement Administration task force that raided a medicinal marijuana
farm in Santa Cruz County last month.

"It's an issue of priority," Lansdowne said. "The problem in California and
in San Jose is clearly methamphetamine, and that's where we intend to put
our resources."

San Jose's four officers and one sergeant on the DEA-led task force have
been reassigned to the city's drug unit and to the state Bureau of
Narcotics Enforcement task force.

On Sept. 5, federal drug agents raided a nationally known cooperative that
grows medicinal marijuana in the hills near Davenport. They confiscated 167
marijuana plants and arrested founders Valerie and Michael Corral, who grow
and distribute marijuana for free to AIDS, cancer and neurological patients
who have their doctors' approval.

The organization -- WAMM, or Wo/Men's Alliance for Medical Marijuana -- has
operated under an agreement with the Santa Cruz County Sheriff's Department
since 1996, when California voters approved Proposition 215, legalizing
medicinal marijuana.

The Corrals were released from custody within hours of their arrests and
have since filed suit to get the cannabis back. The U.S. Attorney's Office
is reviewing the case and hasn't decided whether to file charges, federal
officials said.

"I guess the chief thinks our priorities are somewhat misguided, and he's
entitled to have his opinion," said DEA spokesman Richard Meyer. "We have
great respect for the San Jose Police Department," said DEA spokesman
Richard Meyer. "But we feel very differently. We feel the president and the
American public expect us to enforce the laws and we have a mandate. We're
committed to that."