LOS ANGELES - Federal drug agents raided nearly a dozen medical marijuana clinics, seizing several thousand pounds of processed marijuana, along with weapons and money, authorities said.

California voters approved Proposition 215, the Compassionate Use Act, in 1996. It made marijuana available by prescription for medicinal uses.

The DEA, which does not recognize California laws legalizing medical marijuana use, has recently increased its enforcement.

West Hollywood spokeswoman Helen Goss said the city has a "long-standing commitment" to the use of medical marijuana for people suffering from illnesses like HIV and AIDS.

"Today's enforcement operations show that these establishments are nothing more than drug-trafficking organizations bringing criminal activities to our neighborhoods and drugs near our children and schools," said Ralph W. Partridge, head of the DEA in Los Angeles.