Agents of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) raided 11 medical-marijuana dispensaries in the Los Angeles area, seizing marijuana plants, guns and cash but also meeting with protests, the Los Angeles Times reported Jan. 18.

The DEA, which detained 20 people but filed no charges, said the raids were part of an ongoing investigation. During a raid in West Hollywood, DEA agents wearing bulletproof vests, sunglasses and face masks were greeted by protesters shouting "States' rights" and "DEA go away." West Hollywood police said they had no advance notice of the raids, and city officials restated their commitment to medical-marijuana use.

"We've been fighting to support the access of medicinal marijuana for many, many years and there's just a great disconnect between the federal government and communities like West Hollywood," said Councilman Jeffrey Prang. 

Meanwhile, the West Hollywood City Council voted this week to adopt an ordinance on regulating medical-marijuana dispensaries, and the Los Angeles Police Commission signaled its support for a moratorium on new dispensaries being established in the city. Los Angeles Police Chief William J. Bratton said he supported cooperating with federal officials to prosecute businesses that violate the state's medical-marijuana law.