The federal government can obtain suspected marijuana growers' utility records without a warrant.

 

The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals on Tuesday ruled in the case of a Fairbanks utility, Golden Valley Electric Association, which refused turning over records to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration.

 

The  DEA issued a subpoena in 2010 seeking the power consumption and payment records of three customers suspected of growing marijuana.

 

The utility declined, citing its policy to protect customer's records. A U.S. District judge ruled in DEA's favor, and the utility appealed.

 

GVEA argued the Fourth Amendment protects customers from search and seizure without a proper warrant.

 

But the appeals court ruled a customer lacks an expectation of privacy in an item, like a business record.