Pubdate: Fri, 11 Oct 2002 Source: San Jose Mercury News (CA) Copyright: 2002 San Jose Mercury News Contact: http://www.bayarea.com/mld/mercurynews Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/390 Author: Roxanne Stites 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." - --- MAP posted-by: Beth