The federal government prompted the recent suspension of Mendocino County's program to permit and license medical marijuana growers, PressDemocrat.com reports.

The U.S. Attorney's Office warned the county that if it continued the program, it would sue to shut it down. The warning was reportedly issued on Jan.3 during a meeting between Jeanine Nadel, counsel for Mendocino county, and representatives of the U.S. Attorney. Supervisors will review the ordinance later this month.

The stumbling block to allowing medical marijuana in the county is a court case that ruled permitting is against the law, but regulations are legal, says County Supervisor John McCowen.