Attorney General Eric Holder says the Obama administration still hasn't decided on how the federal government will respond to the new legal-marijuana laws passed by voters in Washington and Colorado.
Holder appeared Wednesday before the Senate Judiciary Committee and was asked about the issue by Democratic Sen. Patrick Leahy of Vermont.
The attorney general reiterated what he has said recently — that a policy decision will be announced "relatively soon." He also said he's had good conversations with elected leaders from Washington and Colorado.
The measures set up systems of state-licensed marijuana growers, processors and retail stores. But marijuana remains illegal under federal law, and state laws can be struck down if the "frustrate the purpose" of federal law.
The Justice Department could sue the states in an attempt to block the licensing schemes from taking effect.
