Nebraska and Oklahoma have filed a lawsuit against neighboring Colorado for that state’s legalization of marijuana, the Denver Post reports.
The lawsuit alleges that, “the State of Colorado has created a dangerous gap in the federal drug control system.” The Plaintiff States argue that Colorado’s legalization undermines their own marijuana laws, drains their treasuries, and increases stress on their criminal justice programs.
Colorado Attorney General John Suthers said the lawsuit is, “without merit,” and that, “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.”
Oklahoma Attorney General Scott Pruitt said in a statement that Oklahoma is “fundamentally” impacted by Colorado’s new marijuana policies because the enforcement of their own marijuana laws has become more costly.
Colorado voters passed Amendment 64 in 2012 to legalize and regulate a recreational marijuana market. Recreational stores have earned more than $300 million in sales since the market opened in January, 2014. Additionally, Colorado’s medical marijuana program has been developing for more than a decade, and is today the most expansive program in the country.
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Photo Credit: Chris Yarzab