Judge Won’t Toss Lawsuit Over Nevada Pot Rules

CARSON CITY, Nev. (AP) — A judge won't throw out a lawsuit from a powerful liquor lobby that wants a piece of Nevada's new recreational marijuana industry.

A group of independent liquor wholesalers say the ballot measure that voters approved last November legalizing recreational pot makes it clear they're the only ones that can distribute the product for retail sales scheduled to begin July 1.

State lawyers tried to persuade Carson City District Judge James Wilson on Tuesday to dismiss the lawsuit and allow existing medical marijuana dispensaries to serve as their own middlemen in recreational sales.

Wilson refused. He left in place an order he issued May 30 that blocks any licensing until he holds a daylong hearing next Monday.