Pubdate: Sat, 22 Jan 2011
Source: Post-Bulletin (Rochester, MN)
Copyright: 2011 Post-Bulletin Company, LLC
Contact:  http://www.postbulletin.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1342
Bookmark: http://mapinc.org/topic/synthetic+marijuana

FEDERAL JUDGE WON'T STOP DEA BAN ON 'FAKE POT'

MINNEAPOLIS - A federal judge has rejected an attempt by Minnesota 
businesses to stop the government from cracking down on synthetic marijuana.

U.S. District Judge Patrick Schiltz on Friday dismissed a lawsuit 
that sought to prevent a nationwide ban on so-called "fake pot."

Schiltz says he lacks authority to act on the Drug Enforcement 
Administration's move to outlaw chemicals used in synthetic 
marijuana, which is sold as incense.

Three Twin Cities businesses and one in Duluth joined in a lawsuit 
against the DEA and the U.S. Department of Justice.

In November, the DEA issued an emergency order to outlaw the 
chemicals after receiving reports of seizures, hallucinations and dependency.

Attorney Marc Kurzman, who represents the business owners, tells 
KSTP-TV he plans to go to the federal appeals court as soon as Monday.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom