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Pelosi Criticizes Federal Crackdown On Medical Marijuana

SAN FRANCISCO (CBS/AP) -- House Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi is criticizing the Obama administration for its crackdown on California medical marijuana dispensaries.

The San Francisco congresswoman said in a statement that she's concerned about federal actions that threaten marijuana access for suffering of California patients.

Pelosi said she is troubled the Obama administration crackdown is endangering patients and undermining the federal government's stated policy of deferring to states on the issue.

Federal prosecutors maintain pot suppliers are using California's 1996 medical marijuana law as a cover for making huge profits.

Dispensary landlords were notified that they are violating federal drug laws and could lose their property or face criminal prosecution.

Since October, hundreds of California marijuana dispensaries have shut down because of evictions or fears of prosecution.

(Copyright 2012 by CBS San Francisco. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)

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