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Oklahoma Protesters Criticize State For Suing Colorado Over Pot

OKLAHOMA CITY (CBS4/AP) - Protesters rallied in Oklahoma City Thursday to oppose their state attorney general's decision to join a lawsuit against Colorado over its legalized marijuana laws.

They said Scott Pruitt shouldn't meddle with Colorado's affairs, mostly because Pruitt has backed the right for states to make their own decisions.

"This lawsuit is coming from a state attorney general that has claimed to champion states' rights and (criticize) government overreach, yet at the same time now he's fighting against states' rights, so it's hypocrisy of the highest order," protester Steve Long said.

Several Republican Oklahoma legislators also criticized Pruitt this week for his decision to join Nebraska in a lawsuit against Colorado.

A group of seven GOP legislators wrote to Pruitt, also a Republican, voicing their concern over the lawsuit asking the U.S. Supreme Court to declare Colorado's legalization of marijuana unconstitutional.

Owasso Republican Rep. Mike Ritze says his concern is not about marijuana, but about the right of states to "govern themselves as they see fit."

But Pruitt maintains he's a states' rights advocate and that his lawsuit against Colorado only challenges the portions of the law that could allow for the drug to be trafficked into Oklahoma.

(TM and © Copyright 2015 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2015 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.) 

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