Federal court in Colorado bars marijuana grower from using state’s medical pot law in defense

Federal court in Colorado bars marijuana defense

DENVER — A Colorado pot grower facing federal drug charges after he bragged about his marijuana business to a TV station won’t be allowed to use the state’s medical marijuana law in his defense.

U.S. District Judge Philip Brimmer has sided with federal prosecutors in their case against Chris Bartkowicz (BART-ko-wits).

Federal drug authorities raided Bartkowicz’s suburban Denver home and he was indicted in May with a federal charge of cultivating marijuana. Bartkowicz says he was following state medical marijuana rules.

Federal prosecutors said Bartkowicz had more plants than the state permits, but also said state laws on marijuana wouldn’t matter in a federal court.

Marijuana activists say growers are being targeted by federal authorities despite state laws.