Nebraska and Oklahoma Sue Colorado Over Legalization

Hater alert. Colorado’s two neighboring states have had enough of the happy, high and freewheeling time residents of the Centennial State were having smoking weed whenever they felt like it. To take matter into their own hands, the two states’ attorney generals have teamed up together citing increased law enforcement costs at the border between states as just part of the reason Colorado should shut down their recreational program. John Bruning of Nebraska and Scott Pruit of Oklahoma want to put an end to it.

“Nebraska taxpayers have to bear the cost,” Bruning said. “We can’t afford to divert resources to deal with Colorado’s problem.”

The other reason they want to shut the program down? Because it’s still, literally, illegal to grow, sell, smoke or eat cannabis under federal law. Legalization at the state-level directly violates the U.S. Constitution’s Supremacy Clause, which mandates that federal law takes precedence over state law. The two AGs are arguing that the Controlled Substances Act, which states that cannabis has no medical benefits whatsoever, should take precedence over Colorado‘s marijuana legalization law. Essentially, they want cannabis to be illegal again.

“Federal law undisputedly prohibits the production and sale of marijuana,” Bruning said. “Colorado has undermined the United States Constitution, and I hope the U.S. Supreme Court will uphold our constitutional principles.”

Colorado Attorney General John Suthers released a statement in defense of the state’s marijuana laws.

“Because neighboring states have expressed concern about Colorado-grown marijuana coming into their states, we are not entirely surprised by this action,” Suthers said. “However, 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. We believe this suit is without merit and we will vigorously defend against it in the U.S. Supreme Court.”

What do you think about the Nebraska and Oklahoma suing Colorado? Share your thoughts in the comments below.