Judge tosses Duluth head shop lawsuit

Last Place on Earth
The sidewalk outside The Last Place on Earth is packed with people hanging around Tuesday, Oct. 9, 2012 in Duluth, Minn. A judge has thrown out a Duluth head shop owner's lawsuit against the city over a 2011 raid.
Derek Montgomery for MPR

A judge has thrown out a Duluth head shop owner's lawsuit against the city over a 2011 raid.

Judge Shaun Floerke dismissed the lawsuit Tuesday brought by Last Place on Earth owner Jim Carlson.

The judge ruled the city did not violate Carlson's civil rights when it raided his downtown head shop on Sept. 21, 2011, and seized $83,510 in cash, about $250,000 worth of products -- largely synthetic marijuana -- and 28 guns.

The judge also denied Carlson's request to force the return of his cash, retail products and guns.

The Duluth News Tribune reports Carlson did succeed in forcing the city to release the results of chemical tests conducted on products taken during the search. Carlson contends the tests show his shop had not violated the law.

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