Politics
Two States Join Colorado as it Defends its Marijuana Law Against Suit
An employee weighs portions of retail marijuana to be packaged and sold at 3D Cannabis Center in Denver, Dec. 31, 2013. (Brennan Linsley/AP Photo)
Niraj Chokshi, THE WASHINGTON POST
(The Washington Post)—Washington and Oregon on Friday joined Colorado in defending its recreational marijuana law against a suit brought by two of its neighboring states.
In a filing, Colorado asked the Supreme Court to dismiss the lawsuit — filed by Nebraska and Oklahoma — arguing that it makes a “dangerous use” of legal argument that would leave marijuana legalization in place but largely strip the state of its power to regulate the new industry.
“My office remains committed to defending Colorado’s law,” Attorney General Cynthia Coffman said in a statement. “At the same time, I share our border states’ concerns regarding illegal marijuana activity, and my office, as well as our partner state and local law enforcement agencies, are committed to stopping marijuana diversion. This lawsuit, however, even if successful, won’t fix America’s national drug policy — at least not without leadership from Washington, D.C., which remains noticeably absent.”
###
