Attorney General Jeff Sessions stated the Obama-era guidelines on cannabis remain in effect, therefore the drug is illegal on the federal level, even though several states have legalized it for social use.

He also said cannabis is not as dangerous as other drugs, and the Department of Justice cannot prosecute those who are in compliance with the state medical cannabis laws.

“Our policy is the same, really, fundamentally as the Holder-Lynch policy, which is that the federal law remains in effect and a state can legalize marijuana for its law enforcement purposes but it still remains illegal with regard to federal purposes,” Sessions said.

Cannabis is currently classified as a Schedule I drug, a category that’s reserved for other dangerous drugs and substances such as heroin; however, medical cannabis is legal in 29 states and Washington D.C., and social cannabis is legal in eight states and D.C., despite being prohibited on the federal level.

During the hearing, Sessions said, “I believe we are bound by,” a federal budget rider that prevents the federal government from spending money to interfere with state medical cannabis laws.

This statement contrasts with a memo sent out earlier in the year that suggested a review of the “Cole Memo”, which allows states to implement their own laws without intervention.

“Task Force subcommittees will also undertake a review of 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 the Administration’s goals and priorities,” Sessions’ memo read.

During the hearing, Sessions did not mention possible reviews of the Obama-era policy.