As expected, Gov. Ralph Northam has asked the Virginia General Assembly to amend the adult-use legalization bill so possession and home cultivation will become legal on July 1, 2021 instead of waiting until 2024. The governor also requested other changes, including an amendment that would expedite the process of expunging and sealing criminal records, beginning as soon as state agencies are able to do so. Legislators will meet to consider these changes beginning on April 7.

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.…

Please reach out to your representative to ask them to support the bill to reduce police-civilian contact over the supposed smell of cannabis. The Virginia General Assembly has begun meeting — in unprecedented circumstances — for a special session. Lawmakers have already filed over 200 bills aimed at budgeting, criminal justice, and police reform. Several cannabis reform bills have been proposed, and the Senate has already approved two modest but important reforms: SB 5029, which would prevent…

If you live in Virginia, contact your lawmakers and ask them to support marijuana reform bills this session! The Virginia General Assembly convened to kick off its 2019 legislative session on Wednesday, and several efforts are being made to reform the state's marijuana policies. Two bills, HB2079 and SB997, have been introduced to decriminalize marijuana, making simple possession a civil fine of $50 for a first violation instead of an offense punishable by up to 30 days in jail. Gov. Ralph Northam…

[caption id="attachment_7997" align="alignright" width="212"] Gov. Terry McAuliffe[/caption] Earlier this week, Virginia Governor Terry McAuliffe took a question about legalizing and regulating marijuana for adults’ use, as Colorado has done. While he is not “yet” supportive of this sensible policy change, he did use the question as an opportunity to express his support for medical marijuana. The Virginia General Assembly should follow suit by sending Gov. McAuliffe a comprehensive medical marijuana…