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PHOENIX - An Arizona appellate court has ruled that the Yuma County sheriff must return marijuana that was seized from a woman with a California medical marijuana authorization honored by Arizona.

The Court of Appeals' ruling Thursday says medical marijuana seized from Valerie Okun must be returned to her because Arizona's medical marijuana law allows people with medical marijuana authorizations from other states to legally possess marijuana in Arizona.

The marijuana was found Okun's vehicle at a Border Patrol checkpoint near Yuma. State drug charges against her were dismissed after she showed she had authorization under California's medical marijuana program.

The Arizona court declined to consider prosectors' argument that federal drug law invalidates Arizona's medical marijuana law.

The Court of Appeals' ruling upholds one by a Yuma County Superior Court judge.