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Photo: Alex Scribner/VPM News In this time of social distancing and heightened political violence, people from marginalized groups say finding a sense of community has become increasingly important.  In Richmond, Andy Waller tries to provide that support with the Safe Space Market. Waller says the name “Safe Space” has two meanings: a safe, healthy environment to prevent COVID-19 spread and a safe, inclusive home for marginalized communities.  Photo: Alex Scribner/VPM News   Before venturing through Lakeside Farmers Market, which hosts Safe Space biweekly, Charlene Chotalal welcomes vi...

Fight Over Right to Work Evokes History of Richmond Unions In this Tuesday, Feb. 9, 2021, file photo, Michael Foster of the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union holds a sign outside an Amazon facility where labor is trying to organize workers in Bessemer, Ala. Despite the strongest public support and the most sympathetic president in years, the American labor movement just suffered a stinging defeat. Amazon warehouse workers in Bessemer, overwhelmingly voted against joining the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union in much-anticipated election results announced Friday, April 9....

Alex Scribner/VPM toggle caption Alex Scribner/VPM Cannabis plants grow inside a medical marijuana dispensary in Richmond, Va., known as gLeaf. The Virginia Legislature voted to pass a bill legalizing recreational marijuana in the state. Alex Scribner/VPM Virginia's Democratic-controlled Legislature passed a bill legalizing the possession of small amounts of marijuana on Wednesday, making it the 16th state to take the step. Under Virginia's new law, adults ages 21 and over can possess an ounce or less of marijuana beginning on July 1, rather than Jan. 1...

The Virginia State Capitol at night. (Photo: Craig Carper/VPM News) *Ben Paviour and Roberto Roldan reported this story. The General Assembly wrapped up its 2021 session on Saturday after lawmakers passed major legislation on marijuana legalization, criminal justice reform, and COVID-19. For a second year, Virginia Democrats used majorities in the House and Senate to push their top priorities. They advanced “first-in-the-South” legislation that would ban the death penalty, create a Virginia Voting Rights Act, and declare racism a public health crisis. Lawmakers moved to allow people to ...

As Virginia prepares to legalize the adult use of recreational marijuana, it is grappling with questions of how the industry will be set up and who will profit off of it. One Richmond man says he hopes there'll be a place for smaller operations that he compares to the city's craft beer industry.