Washington State

Office of the Attorney General

Attorney General

Bob Ferguson

SEATTLE — The Attorney General’s Office filed a response brief yesterday in the Washington State Supreme Court defending the will of the voters in enacting Initiative 502.
TACOMA — For the fifth time, a superior court judge today agreed with an opinion issued by the Attorney General’s Office earlier this year, concluding that nothing in Initiative 502 overrides local governments’ authority to regulate or ban marijuana businesses. This allows I-502 to continue to be implemented. Every court to consider this issue has now agreed with the Attorney General’s opinion.
SEATTLE — Washington State Attorney General Bob Ferguson today offered the following statement in response to the announcement that Oklahoma and Nebraska have sued Colorado in the United States Supreme Court over marijuana legalization. Nebraska and Oklahoma allege that Colorado’s Amendment 64 and its implementing legislation regarding recreational marijuana is unconstitutional and preempted by federal law.
KELSO — A fourth superior court judge today agreed with an opinion issued by the Attorney General’s Office earlier this year, concluding that nothing in Initiative 502 overrides local governments’ authority to regulate or ban marijuana businesses. This allows I-502 to continue to be implemented. Every court to consider this issue has now agreed with the Attorney General’s opinion.
KENNEWICK — A third superior court judge today agreed with an opinion issued by the Attorney General’s Office this year, concluding that nothing in Initiative 502 overrides local governments’ authority to regulate or ban marijuana businesses.  Every court to consider this issue has now agreed with the Attorney General’s opinion.
WENATCHEE — A second superior court judge today agreed with an opinion issued by the Attorney General’s Office last year, concluding that nothing in Initiative 502 overrides local governments’ authority to regulate or ban marijuana businesses.
TACOMA — The Attorney General’s Office today presented arguments in MMH, LLC v. Fife in Pierce County Superior Court before Judge Culpepper. Solicitor General Noah Purcell gave oral arguments on behalf of the Attorney General’s Office.
OLYMPIA — The Attorney General’s Office yesterday filed a brief in the case of MMH, LLC v. Fife. The plaintiffs in this case seek to open marijuana businesses in Fife despite the city’s ban on such businesses. The city argues that it is not required to allow such businesses under Initiative 502. The city also argues that if I-502 does require it to allow such businesses, then I-502 is preempted by federal law. The AGO intervened in this case to defend I-502 and its proper interpretation.

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