"We hope these recent raids don't represent official administration policy and that Obama will order federal agencies in no uncertain terms to stop harassing medical marijuana patients and providers in California," he said.

White House spokesman Nick Shapiro on Wednesday reiterated Obama's stance that "federal resources should not be used to circumvent state laws."

"And as he continues to appoint senior leadership to fill out the ranks of the federal government, he expects them to review their policies with that in mind," Shapiro said.

Bill Piper of the Drug Policy Alliance in Washington said, "The DEA shouldn't need a memo from the White House to know that undermining the will of California voters is a waste of taxpayer money."
Medical pot backers say L.A. raids betray Obama vow | Reuters