The United States government says it will not stop the states of Colorado and Washington from allowing the recreational use of cannabis.
The two states legalised recreational use of the drug last November.
The Justice Department said it will focus on bringing criminal charges in only eight priority legal areas including the distribution of cannabis to minors, and ensuring that criminal enterprises do not profit.
The BBC reports federal law forbids marijuana use and possession.
In addition to the two states that outright legalised the drug, 20 states and Washington DC allow medical marijuana use, a stricter standard.