The Virginia State Crime Commission has rescheduled its meeting to present its findings on marijuana decriminalization. It’s important that advocates attend this meeting and show that Virginians support sensible marijuana policies. What: Virginia State Crime Commission public meeting to present its findings on marijuana decriminalization When: Monday, October 30, at 1 p.m. Where: House Committee Room, Ground Floor, Room W011, Pocahontas Building, 900 East Maine Street, Richmond, VA Don’t forget that…

Earlier this year, the Virginia General Assembly empowered the state’s Crime Commission to consider whether Virginia should decriminalize marijuana possession. Now, the commission wants to hear from residents. Between now and Friday, August 25 at 5 p.m., Virginia residents can send written comments to [email protected] or mail them to: 1111 East Broad Street, Ste. B036 Richmond, VA 23219 Then, on October 5 at 10:00 a.m., the Crime Commission will hold a meeting open to the public where you…

On Tuesday, Virginians across the state will head to the polls to cast their primary ballot for candidates for House delegates and governor. MPP looked at where gubernatorial candidates stand on three critical marijuana policy questions and assigned each candidate a letter grade. You can check out our voter guide here. After tomorrow’s primary, November’s ballot will be finalized where — in addition to the governor’s race — all of Virginia’s 100 seats in the House of Delegates are up for election.…

Virginia’s gubernatorial primary is less than one month away, and MPP has put together a guide on where the candidates stand on marijuana policy issues. Please check out our voter guide so you can be informed on this critical topic before heading to the polls. We put together a candidate survey and asked each campaign for governor to give us their thoughts on three issues: 1) marijuana decriminalization; 2) medical marijuana; and 3) taxing and regulating cannabis for adults age 21 and over. Based…

Last week, the Virginia General Assembly sent Gov. Terry McAuliffe a bill to stop suspending drivers’ licenses for first-offense possession of small amounts of marijuana! This bill reflects years of work by advocates and is a significant victory on the path towards reform in Virginia! In addition, the Legislature approved a bill allowing in-state production of cannabis and distribution of low-THC/ high-CBD cannabis oil for patients suffering from intractable epilepsy. In order to take advantage of…

Virginia is in its final week of its 2016 legislative session and of the many marijuana-related bills Virginian lawmakers considered this year, only one — SB 701 — has made it to the desk of Gov. Terry McAuliffe. [caption id="attachment_9639" align="alignright" width="200"] Gov. Terry McAuliffe[/caption] This limited bill allows the cultivation of cannabis by pharmaceutical processes that would then produce cannabidiol oil. Patients suffering from intractable epilepsy could receive the oil with a…

[caption id="attachment_8602" align="alignright" width="200"] Gov. Terry McAuliffe[/caption] Last week, Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe signed a bill into law that will provide limited legal protections to patients with intractable epilepsy who find relief from low-THC marijuana. MPP does not consider Virginia a medical marijuana state because the law is so limited that it does not meet our definition of an effective medical marijuana law. The new law allows certain patients and their parents to raise…

 A strong majority of state voters support reforming Virginia marijuana laws, according to a Public Policy Polling survey released Tuesday. The poll of 884 registered Virginia voters was conducted January 2-4 and has a margin of error of plus or minus 3.3%. The full results are available at https://www.mpp.org/VApoll. From the Richmond Times-Dispatch: Three out of five Virginians surveyed support removing criminal penalties for possessing up to an ounce of pot and three out of four back medical…

When the Virginia Legislature convenes in January, a bill to stop criminalizing those who simply possess marijuana will be awaiting consideration. Today, an individual convicted of marijuana possession in Virginia can be thrown in jail for up to thirty days, fined up to $500, or both! This overly punitive approach can destroy dreams — a criminal conviction makes it harder to get a job, housing, and education. Criminalizing marijuana possession also wastes vast amounts of resources. In 2012, there…

[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…