It shouldn't come as a shock that Oakland's recently enacted ordinance allowing for large-scale medical marijuana grow-houses violates federal law, but now a U.S. attorney has written the City a strongly worded letter to that effect, calling into question whether the government plans some sort of crackdown down the road.

If the City goes ahead with a plan, proposed by Council member Desley Brooks, to license five new medical pot farms, capped at 50,000 square feet each, this attorney for the Northern District of California warns that landlords, property owners, and financiers of grow facilities could face prosecution and the loss of property. And we quote, "Individuals who elect to operate 'industrial cannabis cultivation and manufacturing facilities' will be doing so in violation of federal law." For her part, Councilwoman Brooks says, "We're just trying to make sure [people] get their medicine." [Chron]