Lawsuit over Marijuana, property values could have broad impacts
DENVER — A national trial in Colorado could have far-reaching consequences on the United States’ budding marijuana industry when a jury sides with a couple who say using a cannabis business for a neighbor strikes their property’s worth.
The trial set to begin Monday in Denver is the first time a jury will consider a lawsuit using national anti-racketeering law to target cannabis companies. But the marijuana industry has carefully watched the case since 2015, when attorneys with a Washington, D.C.-based company first filed their sweeping criticism on behalf of Hope and Michael Reilly.
One of the couple’s attorneys, Brian Barnes, said the Reillys bought the southern Colorado land for its views of Pikes Peak and have since built a house on the rural property. They ride horses there and also hike.