Neighboring states sue Colorado for legalizing marijuana

DENVER -- Nebraska and Oklahoma are asking the U.S. Supreme Court to declare Colorado's legalization of marijuana unconstitutional.

Nebraska Attorney General Jon Bruning announced Thursday that the states are seeking a court order to prevent Colorado from enforcing a measure that was approved by voters in 2012. Bruning says Oklahoma Attorney General Scott Pruitt is also a party to the lawsuit.

“Colorado has created a system that legalizes, promotes and facilitates distribution of marijuana,” Nebraska Attorney General Jon Bruning said in a media release. “The illegal products of this system are heavily trafficked into neighboring states, causing an unnecessary burden on the state of Nebraska. Colorado has undermined the United States Constitution, and I hope the U.S. Supreme Court will uphold our constitutional principles.”

The complaint alleges that Colorado's Amendment 64 runs afoul of federal law.

Bruning says Nebraska isn't suing over Washington's law because it doesn't share a border with the state.

Colorado Attorney General John Suthers said in a statement that the lawsuit is without merit and his office will vigorously defend the marijuana law.

“Because neighboring states have expressed concern about Colorado-grown marijuana coming into their states, we are not entirely surprised by this action,” Suthers said in a statement. “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.”

FOX 31 Denver and the Associated Press contributed to this report.