Date: Jul 15, 2007 4:14 PM

Letter: Federal laws rule
BY DAN ABENDSCHEIN, Staff Writer
LA Daily News
Article Last Updated:07/13/2007 09:48:46 PM PDT

Medical marijuana dispensaries are at risk of being shut down by a federal
agency, which has sent letters warning against the distribution of pot.

The letter from the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency says federal drug laws
"take precedence" over state laws allowing the use of marijuana as a medical
treatment. Violators risk losing their property or being sentenced to 20
years in prison, the letter says.

"Federal law allows for the seizure of assets, including real property,
which have been used in conjunction with the distribution of controlled
substances," says the letter sent last week to dispensaries in Los Angeles
County.

Managers of two collectives said they might have to close.

"Our landlord has asked us to shut down, so this Sunday will be our last
day," said a Los Angeles-based collective manager, who asked that his name
not be used.