In the Obama administration’s amped up war on medical marijuana in California, federal prosecutors are preparing to target newspapers, radio stations and other media outlets that carry marijuana ads, according to the Center for Investigative Reporting’s California Watch.

Medical marijuana ads are a major source of advertising for alt-weeklies such as the Bay Guardian, SF Weekly, East Bay Express and San Jose’s Metro.

“I’m not just seeing print advertising,” U.S. Attorney Laura Duffy said in an interview with California Watch and KQED. “I’m actually hearing radio and seeing TV advertising. It’s gone mainstream. Not only is it inappropriate – one has to wonder what kind of message we’re sending to our children – it’s against the law.”

She said her effort will start with warning letters to the media outlets. She said the government has the power to seize property or prosecute in civil or criminal court.