More than half of Washington's congressional delegation is asking the U.S. government to respect the state's marijuana legalization effort.
In a letter released Tuesday, seven members of Congress asked the Department of Justice to not pre-empt the new law or prosecute residents acting in compliance with state law. They also asked federal officials to provide guidance on the U.S. government's legal response to a marijuana industry.
The letter was signed by all of the state's Democratic members of Congress, except for U.S. Rep. Rick Larsen. None of the state's Republican representatives signed the letter.
Washington voters approved an initiative last year to legalize the recreational use of marijuana, and state officials are currently in the process of setting up a system to produce, distribute and sell the product.