[420 Girl]

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.

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