Federal Judge Won’t Stop DEA Ban on ‘Fake Pot’

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) - A federal judge has rejected an attempt by Minnesota businesses to stop the government from cracking down on synthetic marijuana.

U.S. District Judge Patrick Schiltz on Friday dismissed a lawsuit that sought to prevent a nationwide ban on so-called "fake pot."

Schiltz says he lacks authority to act on the Drug Enforcement Administration's move to outlaw chemicals used in synthetic marijuana, which is sold as incense.

Three Twin Cities businesses and one in Duluth joined in a lawsuit against the DEA and the U.S. Department of Justice.

In November, the DEA issued an emergency order to outlaw the chemicals after receiving reports of seizures, hallucinations and dependency.

Attorney Marc Kurzman, who represents the business owners, tells KSTP-TV he plans to go to the federal appeals court as soon as Monday.

(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press.  All Rights Reserved.)