Businesses appeal synthetic marijuana decision

Four Minnesota businesses are appealing a judge's decision involving synthetic marijuana.

The federal judge dismissed the businesses' lawsuit which sought to prevent a nationwide ban on so-called "fake pot."

One of the businesses, called Last Place on Earth, is in Duluth. Owner Jim Carlson tells WDIO-TV the Drug Enforcement Administration should not be able to ban anything it wants for any reason at all.

In rejecting the lawsuit last week, U.S. District Judge Patrick Schiltz said he lacked the authority to act on the DEA's ban on chemicals used in synthetic marijuana, which is sold as incense.

The agency in November issued an emergency order to outlaw the chemicals after receiving reports of seizures, hallucinations and dependency. Three Twin Cities businesses are also involved in the lawsuit.

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