Colorado not hurting Oklahoma and Nebraska with pot laws, administration says

WASHINGTON _ Oklahoma and Nebraska shouldn't be allowed to sue Colorado over its marijuana legalization because the state itself isn't causing a direct injury to its neighbors, the Obama administration told the U.S. Supreme Court.

Weighing in on claims by Oklahoma and Nebraska that Colorado's legalization has led to problems in their states, the administration said the states are alleging "third-party lawbreakers" are causing the trouble, not Colorado.

The Supreme Court has to decide when to exercise "original jurisdiction" and allow a state to sue another state.

Oklahoma and Nebraska asked for the court’s permission a year ago to sue Colorado over certain aspects of its marijuana legalization plan.