Ask Gov. Northam to sign SB 5029 and SB 5013 into law. During a special legislative session, the Virginia General Assembly approved two important cannabis reform bills. Here’s what the legislation would do: SB 5029 would prevent law enforcement from using the odor of cannabis as a pretext for searching and seizing property. SB 5013 would give people issued a summons for cannabis possession the option of pre-paying the civil penalty instead of having to go to court. The bills now head to Gov.…

Earlier today, Gov. Ralph Northam signed SB 2 into law, which decriminalizes cannabis possession. Starting July 1, possession of up to an ounce will be punishable by a civil fine of up to $25 instead of a criminal penalty and potential jail time. This is the lowest fine of any decriminalization law! Virginia now joins the 26 states and Washington, D.C. that have stopped jailing their residents for possessing small amounts of marijuana. Here are a few details about the new law: Reduces the…

Virginia is about to become the 27th state to decriminalize marijuana possession! The legislature has approved a bill to stop arresting and jailing Virginians for simple marijuana possession. It now heads to Gov. Ralph Northam’s desk, and it is expected that he will sign it into law. The bill would make possession of one ounce or less of marijuana a civil penalty punishable by a $25 fine. Under current law, marijuana possession is a criminal offense punishable by up to 30 days in jail and/or up…

Email your lawmakers in support of decriminalization today! Virginia is very close to becoming the 27th state to decriminalize marijuana! This week, both chambers of the General Assembly passed similar decriminalization bills. Now, the legislature will have to reconcile the differences in the two bills before a final bill heads to Gov. Ralph Northam's desk. Gov. Northam — who has made decriminalization a top priority in 2020 — is likely to sign the bill into law. Make sure you let your lawmakers…

A new poll jointly commissioned by MPP and the ACLU of Maryland shows that a majority of Marylanders support legalizing marijuana for adults and regulating it similarly to alcohol! If you live in Maryland, please let your legislators know that you are among the 53% of voters who believe adults should be allowed to use a substance that is objectively safer than alcohol. In 2014, representatives in Annapolis will be considering several bills that propose a more sensible approach to marijuana policies.…