What s legal, what s not as Virginia legalizes marijuana apnews.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from apnews.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Last Saturday, the Virginia House and Senate approved a pair of bills to legalize marijuana but not for three years and with significant portions of the package required to be approved again next year, which could prove difficult if Democrats lose control of the legislature. The bills now go to the desk of Gov. Ralph Northam, who has previously voiced support for marijuana legalization, but some unhappy advocates are calling on him to amend them to address what they see as serious failings.
Virginia House chamberThe bills, SB 1406HB 2312 would legalize the possession of up to an ounce of marijuana and tax and regulate legal marijuana commerce beginning on July 1, 2024. They also allow for the home cultivation of up to four plants, two mature and two immature. And they mandate the shielding of records for past marijuana convictions from employers, landlords, insurance companies, and educational institutions.
Thursday, February 11, 2021
While adult-use cannabis legalization has been gaining popular support across the country, many state legislatures have been slow to translate that support into legislative action. That is changing in Virginia. In 2020, Virginia decriminalized the simple possession (up to an ounce) of cannabis while providing a civil penalty up to $25. On February 5, 2021, the Virginia House and Senate took another significant step further when both passed bills approving adult-use cannabis legalization in Virginia. Senate Bill 1406 passed on a 23-15 vote. House Bill 2312 passed on a 55-42 vote.
There are differences in the bills that must be resolved in a conference committee. However, an adult-use legalization bill is likely to pass through conference and be sent for Governor Ralph Northam’s signature. Governor Northam has already stated his support for legalizing adult-use cannabis. With passage, Virginia would become the 16