Federal Appeals Court Rejects Oakland Lawsuit Over Marijuana Dispensary
SAN FRANCISCO (CBS/AP) -- A federal appeals court has rejected Oakland's attempt to stop the government from shutting down a large medical marijuana dispensary.
The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals said Thursday it lacked authority to review prosecutors' decision to try to seize Harborside Health Center's property in Oakland.
Harborside bills itself as the nation's largest medical marijuana dispensary.
Oakland officials filed a lawsuit three years ago trying to block the seizure, saying Harborside's closure would lead to a health and safety crisis in the city.
The appeals court said prosecutors have discretion to bring such civil forfeiture actions, and Oakland was not using the correct procedure to challenge it. The court affirmed a lower court ruling.
A representative of the city attorney's office did not immediately comment.
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