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Nebraska and Oklahoma sue Colorado over legal marijuana | Nebraska and Oklahoma sue Colorado over legal marijuana |
(about 20 hours later) | |
Nebraska and Oklahoma have asked the US Supreme Court to nullify a 2012 law that made marijuana legal in the US state of Colorado. | Nebraska and Oklahoma have asked the US Supreme Court to nullify a 2012 law that made marijuana legal in the US state of Colorado. |
The two states allege that Colorado's law is in violation of federal law. | The two states allege that Colorado's law is in violation of federal law. |
They say that they are suing just Colorado, and not Washington state where marijuana is also legal, because they do not share a border with Washington. | They say that they are suing just Colorado, and not Washington state where marijuana is also legal, because they do not share a border with Washington. |
Colorado's attorney general said their suit was without merit. | Colorado's attorney general said their suit was without merit. |
"Federal law undisputedly prohibits the production and sale of marijuana," said Nebraska attorney general Jon Bruning in a press release. | "Federal law undisputedly prohibits the production and sale of marijuana," said Nebraska attorney general Jon Bruning in a press release. |
"Colorado has undermined the United States Constitution, and I hope the US Supreme Court will uphold our constitutional principles." | "Colorado has undermined the United States Constitution, and I hope the US Supreme Court will uphold our constitutional principles." |
Colorado's attorney general John Suthers said in a statement that the state had been expecting legal action after Nebraska and Oklahoma complained about marijuana grown in Colorado coming into their states. | Colorado's attorney general John Suthers said in a statement that the state had been expecting legal action after Nebraska and Oklahoma complained about marijuana grown in Colorado coming into their states. |
But he said he would vigorously defend Colorado's law as "it appears the plaintiffs' primary grievance stems from non-enforcement of federal laws regarding marijuana, as opposed to choices made by the voters of Colorado". | But he said he would vigorously defend Colorado's law as "it appears the plaintiffs' primary grievance stems from non-enforcement of federal laws regarding marijuana, as opposed to choices made by the voters of Colorado". |
Colorado's citizens voted to legalise marijuana in 2012, and earlier this year the state became the first in the US to offer marijuana for sale for recreational use. | Colorado's citizens voted to legalise marijuana in 2012, and earlier this year the state became the first in the US to offer marijuana for sale for recreational use. |
Already, Colorado has collected $34m in taxes from marijuana sales, adding a valuable revenue stream to the state's coffers. | |
Washington state passed a similar measure in 2012, but marijuana only went on sale for recreational use there this past summer. | Washington state passed a similar measure in 2012, but marijuana only went on sale for recreational use there this past summer. |
Alaska, Oregon, and the District of Columbia recently voted to legalise marijuana in November. | Alaska, Oregon, and the District of Columbia recently voted to legalise marijuana in November. |
Industry trade groups criticised the legal action. | Industry trade groups criticised the legal action. |
"Colorado has created a comprehensive and robust regulatory programme for the sale of marijuana in Colorado," said Mike Elliott, the director of the Marijuana Industry Group. | "Colorado has created a comprehensive and robust regulatory programme for the sale of marijuana in Colorado," said Mike Elliott, the director of the Marijuana Industry Group. |
"If Nebraska and Oklahoma succeed, they will put the violent criminal organisations back in charge." | "If Nebraska and Oklahoma succeed, they will put the violent criminal organisations back in charge." |
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