Medical Marijuana Backers Sue Feds Over State Crackdown
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) -- Medical marijuana advocates in California are suing the federal government in an effort to quash a recent crackdown on the state's pot dispensaries.
The lawsuit filed Thursday by Americans for Safe Access claims federal officials have overstepped their constitutional authority by not respecting how local officials have implemented the state's medical marijuana laws.
Along with an injunction barring the Department of Justice from interfering with dispensaries that meet state and local regulations, the suit seeks the return of 99 marijuana plants that were seized during an Oct. 13 raid of Mendocino County medical marijuana collective.
Earlier this month, the four federal prosecutors in California announced a broad effort to close pot clubs they claim are located too near places where children gather or are fronts for drug dealing.
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