Sessions Orders Review of Federal Marijuana Policy

Attorney General Jeff Sessions said the Justice Department has launched a review of federal policy on marijuana.

Sessions' announcement came in a memo to 94 U.S. attorney's offices, the Washington Examiner reported.

Sessions has warned in the past that he could crack down on marijuana, the Examiner said.

But legislators in about two dozen states have proposed bills in 2017 easing pot laws, according to the website.

CBS News noted marijuana is illegal under federal law, but the Obama administration encouraged prosecutors not to be overly aggressive in enforcement violations.

The new review will fall under the Justice Department's Task Force on Crime Reduction and Public Safety, which looks at "existing policies in the areas of charging, sentencing and marijuana to ensure consistency with the department's overall strategy on reducing violent crime and with administration goals and priorities," according to a memo obtained by CBS News' Paula Reid. 

Sessions has asked for a report and initial recommendations by July 29.

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