AGENTS RAID POT DISPENSARIES

Federal agents raided at least two San Francisco medicinal marijuana
dispensaries and arrested at least 10 people on Wednesday, in
connection with what authorities described as a large scale and
long-term criminal investigation into drug trafficking.

Agents from the Drug Enforcement Agency searched and confiscated
marijuana supplies from the Herbal Relief Center and a second
dispensary five blocks away. Search warrants were served and arrests
made at more than a dozen homes and businesses in the city, according
to Bloomberg News.

Authorities released few details about the operation, which began in
the morning and lasted through the day. Indictments involving the
actions are under federal seal. More details are expected at a news
conference todaythursday. The U.S. Attorney's Office, DEA, and IRS
criminal division are involved.

As word spread of the action, advocates for medicinal marijuana use
gathered at the clinics as DEA agents hauled out marijuana. Two weeks
ago, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that users of medicinal marijuana
are subject to federal prosecution, even in states like California
that allow the use of marijuana on a doctor's recommendation. Federal
law says there are no exceptions to the ban on cannabis sales.

The actions also come on the heels of a recent moratorium on
dispensaries imposed by San Francisco elected officials as they
grapple with the explosion of marijuana sales locations and study new rules.

Advocates of medicinal marijuana use were careful not to immediately
condemn the federal actions, after learning organized crime and drug
trafficking might be involved.

Yet, they said they will be vigilant to make sure that Wednesday's
raids did not mean the federal government was declaring "open season"
on the state's marijuana dispensaries.