Steve Neavling
ticklethewire.com
Federal authorities have the right to look at the utility bills of suspected marijuana growers, the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled Tuesday, the Associated Press reports.
The case involved Golden Valley Electric Association, which refused to disclose the records to the DEA.
The DEA issued a subpoena for information on a three suspected pot growers’ power consumption and payment records.
The power company said it has a right to protect its clients, saying the forced disclosure is a violation of the Fourth Amendment, which forbids unlawful search and seizures.
The court ruled that energy customers don’t have an expectation of privacy, the AP reported.
