Feds want Mich. records in medical-marijuana probe

Federal agents want Michigan to turn over medical marijuana records as part of an investigation in the Lansing area, a sign that voter approval won’t stop federal authorities from enforcing their drug laws.

Michigan voters agreed in 2008 to legalize the use of marijuana in treating some health problems.

But “the cultivation, possession and distribution of marijuana remains illegal under federal law,” Assistant U.S. Attorney John Bruha said in a court filing last week.

“The DEA targets large scale drug trafficking organizations and does not expend its resources on individuals possessing ‘user amount’ quantities of illegal drugs,” he said.

More than 45,000 people in Michigan are registered to use marijuana to ease the symptoms of cancer and other health problems. They can have up to 2 1/2 ounces of ready-to-use pot and up to 12 plants kept in an enclosed, locked facility. They could also choose to have a registered caregiver grow the drug for them.