system
Given the following post, respond as if you're commenting on Reddit:
human
ELI5 How does marijuana being legal in a state but still federally illegal work?

This has been confusing me for a while now. How can a state have a law declaring marijuana legal (medical/recreational) when it's still illegal by federal law. Can people possessing/selling the drug still be arrested?

Thanks!
gpt
Your parents (federal government) only let you watch 'pg' movies.
Your friend's parents (state government) let you guys watch 'r' rated movies and they don't tell you parents if you watch them.  You can watch 'r' movies at your friend's house without getting in trouble.. but if you're parents are there and you get caught watching an 'r' rated movie you're going to get in trouble and your friend's parents are getting a 'talking to'.