The guidelines , issued by Deputy Attorney General James Cole , have been months in the making and took on some urgency after citizens in Colorado and Washington approved the ballot measures last fall . marijuana state officials cheer the `` good news '' Holder wo n't try to block pot legalization laws in Washington , marijuana . The eight states passed measures legalizing personal Washington use months . Federal laws still make possession , production and sale of marijuana illegal .
marijuana state officials cheer the `` good news '' Holder wo n't try to block pot legalization laws in Washington , marijuana . The eight states passed measures legalizing personal Washington use months . Federal laws still make possession , production and sale of marijuana illegal .