United States v. $186,416.00 in U.S. Currency

CLIFTON, Circuit Judge:

California state law differs from federal law in its treatment of the distribution and possession of marijuana for purportedly medical purposes. California has concluded that marijuana may have medicinal value, and under California law the distribution and possession of “medical marijuana” is not illegal. See Cal. Health & Safety Code § 11362.5(b)(1)(A) (declaring that one purpose of a 1996 voter-approved medical marijuana initiative is “[t]o ensure that seriously ill Californians have the right to obtain and use marijuana for medical purposes”); id. § 11362.765…