Even though Michiganders voted to legalize marijuana for recreational use on Tuesday, it's still considered an illegal substance by the federal government.

And that means that some marijuana enforcement, arrests and convictions will continue.

Matthew Schneider and Andrew Birge, the U.S. Attorneys for the Eastern and Western Districts of Michigan, said in a statement Thursday morning that "we will not unilaterally immunize anyone from prosecution for violating federal laws simply because of the passage of Proposal One."

But they also said the the Department of Justice must weigh both the offices' priorities and the ability to prosecute cases with limited resources.

"Our offices have never focused on the prosecution of marijuana users or low-level offenders, unless aggravating factors are present," the U.S. Attorneys said in a statement. "That will not change."

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When considering whether to file charges in marijuana-related crimes, the offices will consider several factors, including interstate trafficking of marijuana; the involvement of other illegal drugs or illegal activity; people with criminal records; the presence of firearms or violence; criminal enterprises, gangs, and cartels; the bypassing of local laws and regulations; the potential for environmental contamination, and the risks to minors.

"We, of course, also have an interest in preventing the cultivation, use and distribution of marijuana on federal property," Schneider and Birge added.

Because marijuana is still considered an illegal substance by the feds, taking marijuana across the border with Canada or other states will still be illegal.

"We will continue to approach the investigation and prosecution of marijuana crimes as we do with any other crime," they said. "We will consider the federal law enforcement priorities set by the United States Department of Justice, the seriousness of the crime, the deterrent effect of prosecution, and the cumulative impact of the crime on a community."

The firing Wednesday of U.S. Attorney Jeff Sessions by President Donald Trump throws the federal status of marijuana into question.

Sessions has been an outspoken critic of legalized marijuana and had wanted to step up enforcement of marijuana crimes. Marijuana advocates hope that the firing of Sessions will signal a softening of marijuana enforcement from the feds.

Contact Kathleen Gray: 313-223-4430, kgray99@freepress.com or on Twitter @michpoligal.