"This is too important for us not to appeal to the 9th Circuit," Baldwin said. "It's disappointing to see how the states have essentially paved a path for citizens to engage in what they believe is lawful activity, only to set them up for federal intrusion like this."

U.S. Attorney spokeswoman Jessica Fehr said federal prosecutors had no comment on the ruling.

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The federal raids in March 2011 placed a chill over Montana's booming medical marijuana industry, causing several providers to close down because their inventories had been seized or out from fear that their businesses would be

next. Several raided providers have pleaded guilty to federal drug charges.

Lawmakers struggled last year to come up with a solution for what many people perceived to be an industry that at that time was growing too quickly and with too few rules. The final bill repealed the original voter-approved law in favor of one that aimed to dramatically curtail the for-profit medical marijuana industry.

That legislative action is currently under legal review, and will also appear on the November ballot for voters to endorse or reject.