On Friday, February 5th, both the House and Senate of Virginia approved their own versions of legalization bills for recreational marijuana. House Bill 2312 passed with a 55-42 majority vote, with 2 abstaining. And Senate Bill 1406 passed 23-15 in favor of full legalization. 

There was little opposition to these bills until a week ago. Several lawmakers voiced opinions when discussion opened up to the whole floor in both chambers. Those who opposed these bills raised concerns, including feeling that there would be a large increase in young marijuana users. They are also concerned about a potential increase in the number of impaired drivers, endangering communities across the state.

Voting

In spite of these, the opposition was in the minority when it came to the final vote. The majority of lawmakers approved these bills, saying that the legalization of marijuana would improve social equality and increase state revenue. Additionally, legalization would improve communities most affected by the War on Drugs. Both bills met the mid-session deadline for approval. Now the Senate and the House will review and debate the other’s approved bill for possible passage.

A bicameral conference committee made up of members from both chambers will now work together to merge the two bills into one legislature for Governor Ralph Northam (D) sign. The governor will sign the bill into law when it comes across his desk. Governor Northam has been pushing for legalization since his State of the Commonwealth Address in early January

Senator Adam Ebbin, who spearheaded SB 1406, and Representative Charniele Herring, who created HB 2312, both took to Twitter to share their excitement. Together, these bills will mark historic changes within the state of Virginia. 

Future

Amendments are expected, but the bills offer citizens the right to purchase and possession of up to one ounce of marijuana at any given time. Citizens are also allowed to cultivate four cannabis plants for their own personal use. Of those four plants, two can be mature. Tax revenue collected from sales would go to both pre-k child development programs for at-risk youths as well as public health initiatives. A new organization outside of the Virginia Alcohol Beverage Control Authority would be created solely to monitor and regulate the new marijuana program. 

Some organizations say this isn’t enough. They argue the state must do more to help those who suffered the most from the war on drugs. But this is a positive step forward to helping the communities most affected by previous laws and treatment. And it looks to keep improving as the year goes on.

Make sure to check back for more updates around Virginia’s legalization efforts as well as cannabis and hemp related news.