Discontent sues Moorhead over drug ordinance

A northwestern Minnesota shop that sells tobacco, pipes and other products is suing the city of Moorhead over the way police are enforcing a new ordinance outlawing drug paraphernalia.

The store, called Discontent, closed Jan. 10 when the ordinance went into effect. Attorneys for the store say police were interpreting the new ordinance so broadly that store owners feared they'd be arrested if they stayed open, even though they say the pipes are meant for legal substances.

In a federal lawsuit filed this week, attorneys for Discontent are asking for an order that would keep police from enforcing the ordinance. They are also seeking monetary damages for days they have been closed.

A city attorney says he's confident the ordinance is constitutional and the city plans to fight the lawsuit.

(Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

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