Today, all nine former Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) administrators filed an amicus brief urging the U.S. Supreme Court to hear the federal lawsuit against the State of Colorado, being brought by neighboring states Nebraska and Oklahoma. CADCA stands with these experts in asking that the United States Supreme Court hear this case.

“On behalf of CADCA, I lend my support to these respected leaders and the aims of their amicus brief,” stated Gen. Arthur T. Dean, CADCA Chairman and CEO. “CADCA believes this major shift in U.S. drug policy and the conflicts between state and Federal law require careful consideration by the highest court in our land. We hope the Supreme Court will carefully consider the facts of this case.”

CADCA believes retail marijuana is a bad idea for our country and our members are deeply concerned about consequences ranging from increasing adolescent drug use to highway safety.

As the Rocky Mountain High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area has reported, Colorado’s marijuana is being diverted to more than 40 states. Neighboring states like Nebraska and Oklahoma are experiencing a host of new challenges and increasing law enforcement costs just to uphold their own laws.

“When the Justice Department announced its enforcement priorities related to marijuana back in 2013, CADCA asked that they strictly track and enforce them. One of these priorities is to prevent the diversion of marijuana from states where it is legal under state law in some form to other states. Another priority is preventing the distribution of marijuana to minors. Our members and colleagues in law enforcement tell us these illegal actions are widespread and we are deeply concerned,” stated Gen. Dean.

Voters have passed state constitutional amendments and ballot initiatives that violate Federal law. This is a valid and important legal case for the U.S. Supreme Court to examine from all sides.