Pubdate: Fri, 21 Aug 2015
Source: Appeal-Democrat (Marysville, CA)
Copyright: 2015 Appeal-Democrat
Contact: 
http://www.appeal-democrat.com/sections/services/forms/editorletter.php
Website: http://www.appeal-democrat.com
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1343

CITY LOSES BATTLE OVER MAJOR POT DISPENSARY

Oakland's attempt to block the federal government's shutdown of the 
nation's largest medical marijuana dispensary has gone up in smoke.

A federal appeals court Thursday rejected the city's intervention in 
the U.S. Justice Department's effort to close down Oakland's 
Harborside Health Center, concluding that the legal move interferes 
with the federal government's powers under forfeiture laws to move 
against what it considers illegal activity. The 9th U.S. Circuit 
Court of Appeals, in a unanimous three-judge ruling, found Oakland 
had a right to sue, but its legal arguments would undercut federal 
drug enforcement powers.

The 9th Circuit was reviewing a 2013 lower court ruling tossing out 
Oakland's lawsuit, which argues a federal government shutdown of one 
of four city-approved and regulated medical marijuana outfits harms 
the city's interests and clashes with California's 1996 law 
permitting medical pot use.

- -  Appeal-Democrat news services
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