The Obama administration has warned Oakland over the licensing of four giant pot farms, saying the plan is in violation of state and federal law and could trigger multiple legal actions against the city.

...

Even though pot remains illegal under federal law, the Obama Administration has taken a hands-off approach to California's medical marijuana operators so long as they are in unambiguous compliance with state law.



However, after closely studying the Oakland plan some federal officials have concluded the ordinance violates state law because it treats pot farms as distinct business entities for tax purposes, thus severing the direct connection between cultivator and patient that underpins the legal standing of a medical marijuana collective or cooperative. [California Watch]

Here's another reminder that Obama's DOJ hasn't exactly forgotten about all that naughty medical marijuana commerce going on in California.

I'm sure Oakland officials are very appreciative that these federal prosecutors are helping them interpret and comply with their own state's laws under threat of federal prosecution. It is perfectly ridiculous that federal authorities spent years pretending California's medical marijuana didn't exist, only to now find themselves feigning concern for its integrity. And once violations of state law are alleged, as Obama's policy requires, the Feds are then free to bring down the hammer with the same blind recklessness that eroded all public support for federal medical marijuana enforcement in the first place.



It would be a real shame if Oakland rolls over on this, because you couldn’t ask for a better opportunity to call DOJ's bluff when it comes to Holder's pledge to "vigorously enforce" federal law in medical marijuana states. Really, does anyone think Obama is going to prosecute the City of Oakland? I highly doubt it, and it will become necessary at some point to establish that fact if we intend to further reform marijuana policies in California or anywhere else.