Group plans to sue Colorado over marijuana legalization

A woman rolls a marijuana cigarette.
(Image credit: Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

An organization opposed to the legalization of marijuana in Colorado is expected to file a federal lawsuit Thursday, alleging that officials in Colorado are violating federal law.

The Washington, D.C.-based Safe Streets Alliance said in an online statement that it "is asking the federal courts to order Colorado officials to comply with federal law and stop issuing state licenses to deal illegal drugs." Reuters reports that the group is calling "for testimony from individuals who feel that they, their relatives, properties, or businesses have been hurt by the marijuana industry," and said that "federal racketeering laws give plaintiffs injured by a commercial drug conspiracy the right to an injunction, treble damages, and attorney's fees."

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Catherine Garcia, The Week US

Catherine Garcia has worked as a senior writer at The Week since 2014. Her writing and reporting have appeared in Entertainment Weekly, The New York Times, Wirecutter, NBC News and "The Book of Jezebel," among others. She's a graduate of the University of Redlands and the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism.