Colorado Court Reverses Some Pot Convictions

Advocates of pot legalization have a little something extra to cheer about in Colorado. A state appeals court ruled that people who were appealing their possession convictions when Colorado voters legalized small amounts are in the clear, reports Reuters. It's not expected to affect a large number of cases, but one of the authors of the state's marijuana amendment called it a "huge victory" in principle nonetheless, reports AP.

The state attorney general says his office will probably appeal because it doesn't think the law should be applied retroactively. New laws usually affect only cases that happen after passage, but the appellate judges thought this one was an exception given the "significant change in the law." The attorney for the woman in question says prosecutors seem bent on making the charges stick. "This ruling shows it would be wise for them to focus on more pressing matters," he says. (More marijuana legalization stories.)