US Justice Department Pleads With Congress To Address Marijuana Laws

  "I would like for Congress to address the marijuana question."
  That was the short answer that AG Bill Barr gave to a senate appropriations committee. Until then, Barr says his department has been 'forbearing' with states who have legalized the schedule one (federally banned) substance.
  This development further ramps up the pressure on congress to finally take action on the marijuana question.
 Brian Schatz (D-HI) began the dialogue in a hearing which was supposed to focus on the Justice Dept. budget request.
 the Cole Memorandum is the current policy of the Justice Dept.
"I'm going to have to make some difficult choices" (if congress doesn't act). "I've generally left it up to US Attorneys, depending on the state". 
This means that in some states the federal govt. enforces the federal ban, while declining to press federal charges in other states.