Medical Marijuana Supporters Protest Downtown

SACRAMENTO (CBS13) -- Several dozen supporters of medical marijuana picketed outside the federal courthouse in Sacramento on Wednesday morning.

The protest is in response to a recent announcement by the four U.S. attorneys representing California that the federal government will step up efforts to enforce federal law prohibiting the use of and growing of marijuana.

California passed a law allowing for medical marijuana use in 1996, but federal prosecutors say too many people are using Proposition 215 as a shield for illegal growing operations.

CBS13's Mike Luery reports from downtown Sacramento.