Oakland Wants Judge to Stay Federal Forfeiture Case Against Pot Shop

City says the forfeiture proceeding exceeds the authority of the federal government

Forfeiture proceedings against a medical marijuana dispensary should be stayed while a federal judge considers claims that such regulation belongs to the states, the city of Oakland claims in court.

Oakland has asked the court to block civil forfeiture proceedings against Harborside Health Center's locations in Oakland and San Jose. The U.S. Attorney's office accused both dispensaries of selling marijuana in violation of the Controlled Substances Act in July. While medical marijuana is legal in California, it is still illegal under federal law. The dispensary was featured on the television show "Weed Wars."