DETROIT (AP) — Federal prosecutors say no one should expect immunity under federal law simply because Michigan voters approved the legal use of marijuana.
Detroit U.S. Attorney Matthew Schneider and Grand Rapids U.S. Attorney Andrew Birge (BURJ) released a statement Thursday. They say they don't prosecute marijuana users unless there are other serious circumstances. But they say crimes involving marijuana "can pose serious risks" to a community.
They cited the roles of gangs, the use of weapons and interstate trafficking.
Schneider and Birge say fighting drug crimes is just one of many priorities that must be considered with their limited resources. They say they are increasingly focused on the excessive distribution of life-threatening opioids.
The Associated Press is one of the largest and most trusted sources of independent newsgathering, supplying a steady stream of news to its members, international subscribers and commercial customers. AP is neither privately owned nor government-funded; instead, it's a not-for-profit news cooperative owned by its American newspaper and broadcast members.