As the nation's top law enforcement official rescinded a policy that let states legalize recreational marijuana, Massachusetts' top law enforcement official said she will continue to work with state officials to legalize the drug.

"The people of Massachusetts have voted to make marijuana legal under state law and the Cannabis Control Commission has been given the authority to establish a strong regulatory system that ensures public safety and allows for responsible sale and use of marijuana products," said Attorney General Maura Healey in a statement. "My office is committed to assisting the Commission, local municipalities and our partners in law enforcement to implement the will of the voters effectively."

Attorney General Jeff Sessions said Thursday that he is rescinding Obama-era memos that said prosecutors would not prioritize enforcing U.S. marijuana law in states where marijuana was legal. It will now be up to U.S. Attorneys in each region whether they will prosecute people who use or sell marijuana.

Healey, a Democrat, opposed the 2016 ballot question in which Massachusetts voters legalized recreational marijuana for adults. She said during the campaign that the marijuana industry put profits over people and risked public safety.

But Healey, a strong critic of the Trump administration, criticized Sessions for his decision as she said she will adhere to the will of the voters.

"Today's announcement from Washington inexplicably directs federal law enforcement resources away from combating an opioid epidemic that is ravaging our communities in order to focus on legalized marijuana," Healey said.

The attorney general also made a statement via her Twitter account:

Jeff Sessions is inexplicably directing federal law enforcement resources away from combatting the opioid epidemic to marijuana legalized by the people of Massachusetts.



We are committed to helping our state and local partners implement the will of the voters. — Maura Healey (@MassAGO) January 4, 2018

Treasurer Deborah Goldberg, whose office originally housed the Cannabis Control Commission before it was made independent, said in a statement, "Today's news causes uncertainty and disruption at a time when the Cannabis Control Commission is trying to do its job protecting citizens and honoring the will of the voters. We support their efforts as they seek to safely institute recreational marijuana in Massachusetts."

This story was updated with Goldberg's comments.