DENVER (AP) — Colorado voters legalized recreational pot use on Tuesday, setting up a clash with federal drug policy. A similar measure was also approved in Washington state, though voters in Oregon rejected recreational pot.
When state and federal laws conflict, federal law takes precedence. Federal authorities could sue in an attempt to block the measures in Colorado and Washington from taking effect.
It remained unclear how the federal government would respond.
"Federal law still says marijuana is an illegal drug, so don't break out the Cheetos or Goldfish too quickly," Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper, a Democrat who opposed the measure, said in a statement.
