Federal Lawsuit Filed on Behalf of Los Angeles Medical Marijuana Dispensary to Prevent Closure

Beverly Hills, CA, November 06, 2012 --(PR.com)-- The operator of a medical marijuana dispensary in the Figueroa district Los Angeles, Alex Anatoli who operates a properly licensed facility was allegedly accosted with neither court order or warrant in hand by three federal Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) agents who entered his premises and threatened to close the cooperative's business under the guise of enforcing The Controlled Substance Act of 1970. The DEA also allegedly threatened to cut off dispensing to member patients their medical prescription marijuana. This landmark case was filed last week in the United States Central District of California and will be heard by S. James Otero.

"The Justice Department holds all the cards in federal court and uses that leverage to terrorize the medical marijuana community," according to attorney, Barry Fischer. “This case will have the practical affect of holding the DEA accountable for their policy positions regarding the enforcement of Federal Law in states where The People have used lawful means to legalize medical marijuana.”

Mr. Fischer is encouraging other dispensary owners to contact him for help. “There have been many other recent reports of threatened closures.” Moreover, according to ASA, Americans for Safe Access and Department of Justice reports, other such asset forfeiture proceedings were recently filed against other city dispensaries and menacing letters threatening similar actions were sent to more than 70 property owners leasing dispensary businesses.

“This landmark Federal lawsuit and other pending actions by my office will address the greater Constitutional issue of whether elected officials can delegate the classification of marijuana as a Schedule 1 drug (which includes cocaine and methamphetamine) to the Executive Branch.”