Federal officials today are expected to announce a crackdown on medical-marijuana dispensaries in California, the latest escalation in the ongoing conflict between the U.S. government and the nation's burgeoning medical-marijuana industry.

Federal officials today are expected to announce a crackdown on medical-marijuana dispensaries in California, the latest escalation in the ongoing conflict between the U.S. government and the nation's burgeoning medical-marijuana industry.

This week, federal prosecutors sent letters to several dispensaries in California, warning the stores that they must shut down in 45 days or face criminal charges and confiscation of their property even if they are operating legally under the state's 15-year-old medical-marijuana law.

California's four U.S. attorneys are scheduled to announce the coordinated crackdown today at a midday news conference. Their offices refused to confirm the closure orders Thursday. 

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