The Associated Press got their hands on some letters being sent by U.S. Attorneys to "at least 16" California medical marijuana dispensaries. The letters warn the shops and their landlords "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." President Obama and the Department of Justice have been flexing their federal muscles as of late, though the AP says this is most serious crackdown yet. "This really shouldn't come as a surprise to anyone," said a former adviser to Obama's drug czar. "The Administration is simply making good on multiple threats issued since President Obama took office."

We don't yet know how wide-reaching the DOJ's crackdown will be, but the U.S. attorneys are expected to give a press conference on Friday. On Thursday, S.F. Weekly took a tally on the escalating tension between federal and California officials.

Read the full story at The Atlantic Wire.