It appears that the federal government is taking action to shut down medical marijuana dispensaries throughout the U.S., despite state laws making the sale of medical marijuana legal in Colorado and other jurisdictions. A couple months after the Obama administration tightened its standards toward medical marijuana, at least 16 dispensaries in California or their landlords recently received letters from the U.S. Attorney's Office in that state ordering them to shut down within 45 days or face criminal charges.

So far, dispensaries in Colorado have not been included in the federal effort, but a group of four U.S. attorneys planned to make an announcement on Oct. 7 that is expected to include a broadening of the campaign.

Despite a memo issued by the Justice Department in June warning that it may prosecute dispensary employees, the recent moves to shut down legally sanctioned medical marijuana shops baffle advocates such as the Colorado Springs Medical Cannabis Council. A member of that group pointed out that medical marijuana dispensaries are operating under a law established by the state government. He framed the issue as a matter of states' rights versus federal authority.

So far, the advocate said, shop owners in Colorado are taking a wait-and-see approach to the federal government's efforts, but may take action depending on what the U.S. attorneys say.

Medical marijuana is currently legal in 16 states, including Colorado. Before the June memo, the federal government had a more tolerant attitude toward medical marijuana. It had indicated that it would not take action against the shops.

Source: KRDO-TV, "Colorado Pot Shops Worry About Potential Raid," Oct. 06, 2011