US Attorney Predicts Fewer Raids

SAN FRANCISCO (KCBS) - The new U.S. Attorney for Northern California has hinted there may be fewer raids on medical marijuana dispensaries.

Russoniello has made his position clear on the issue of medical marijuana. He is against the use of the drug for medicinal purposes, questions whether it can provide any benefit to a sick or dying patient, and was opposed to California's Proposition 215, the Medical Marijuana Initiative.

However, Russoniello has also made clear that government resources may be better spent elsewhere. He said there may be changes in enforcement practices in Northern California. "We could spend a lifetime closing dispensaries and doing other kinds of things and enforcement actions, bringing cases and prosecuting people, shoveling sand against the tide, it would be terribly unproductive and probably not an efficient use of precious federal resources," declared Russoniello.

Russoniello took over the position of U.S. Attorney of Northern California in early January. He spent 8 years in the office in the 1980s.

http://www.kcbs.com/Russoniello-Weighs-in-on-Pot-Club-Raids/1575057