SALEM, Ore. — Officials in Oregon said today they would temporarily stop issuing medical marijuana cards to patients in response to a U.S. Supreme Court ruling that federal authorities may prosecute sick people whose doctors prescribe marijuana to ease pain.

"We want to proceed cautiously until we understand the ramifications of this ruling," said Grant Higginson, a public health officer who oversees Oregon's medical marijuana program.

The state will continue to receive and process applications, however, Higginson said in response to the high court's ruling that put in doubt medical marijuana programs in Oregon and nine other states.

Kevin Neeley, a spokesman for state Attorney General Hardy Myers, said the court ruling could lead to federal action against Oregonians who hold medical marijuana cards.

"In 1998, the attorney general issued guidelines that warned cardholders of potential federal prosecution," Neeley said. "Today's decision clarifies the federal government's authority to in fact prosecute cardholders."

More than 10,000 Oregonians hold medical marijuana cards.

Higginson said his office had gotten numerous inquiries from medical marijuana patients asking what effect the court's ruling would have on them.

"Until we get further direction from the attorney general's office, we really don't have further advice to give to our patients," he said.