The issue focused on legislation enacted last month by lawmakers that legalized marijuana use for recreational purposes in Alaska and Oregon. Those laws went into effect Wednesday.

Republican legislators sought to decriminalize possession of small amounts of marijuana but maintained their legislative immunity from prosecution under federal law. Lawmakers declined to repeal those statutes after legalization passed.

Democrats contend they'll sue over the legality of legalizing marijuana because federal lawmakers refused to legalize medical marijuana during the legislative session. Democrats argued Wednesday they believe marijuana legalization violates federal drug laws.