COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (AP) -- Justin Huish, who won two gold medals in archery at the Atlanta Games, resigned from the U.S. Olympic team because of marijuana possession charges.

 Huish said he did not want his legal problems to distract from the archery team's preparations for the Sydney Olympics.

 He sent a letter of resignation this week to the National Archery Association. He remains a member of the National Archery Association, spokesman Bill Kellick said Friday.

 George Greenway, the association's executive director, said he was "deeply saddened."

 "But we feel Justin's course of action in resigning from the Olympic team at this time will allow us to properly and fully prepare for the upcoming Sydney Games," he said.

 The 25-year-old archer from Simi Valley, Calif., and his roommate, Brian Mastrangelo, pleaded innocent March 15 to charges of possessing marijuana with intent to sell. A hearing is scheduled April 5.

 Huish is accused of selling an undisclosed amount of marijuana to a confidential informant. Simi Valley police who searched his home Feb. 15 said they found 4.5 ounces of marijuana, 2.3 grams of hashish oil, a ledger and $23,000 in his bedroom closet.

 Huish became the first American archer to win two gold medals in the same Olympics, capturing the individual and team gold in 1996.

 He also became known for his grunge chic -- ponytail, sunglasses and an earring. Oscar-winning actress Geena Davis was drawn to the sport because of Huish. Davis unsuccessfully tried out for the Olympic team in August, finishing 29th of 300 women in the semifinals.

 Huish qualified for the team by placing second. A spokesman for the U.S. Olympic Committee said Thursday that Huish's name had not been officially submitted. Kellick, however, said that was only a formality.

 Rod White of Waterloo, Iowa, who finished third in the Olympic trials, will replace Huish on the Olympic team. White was a member of the gold-medal winning 1996 men's team, along with Huish and Richard "Butch" Johnson of Woodstock, Conn.

 White, Johnson and Vic Wunderle of Mason City, Ill., make up this year's team.