Whiff Of Change In Medical Marijuana Policy?

Obama: No Prosecuting, Raiding Users
Saturday, February 7, 2009

WASHINGTON -- It's a touchy subject, one the White House isn't directly commenting on, at least not yet.

But there are signs that U.S. policy is about to change when it comes to medical marijuana.

As a candidate, President Barack Obama repeatedly promised a change in federal drug policy in situations where state laws allow use of medical marijuana. He's on record as saying he would not have the Justice Department "prosecuting and raiding medical marijuana users."

The new president is unlikely to make any official change in policy before he has a new DEA chief and drug czar in place.

Yet experts believe it's already clear the Obama administration will change the strategy, if not the law, on medical marijuana.

Thirteen states have laws permitting medicinal use of marijuana.