Home Political News Virginia Governor Ceremoniously Signs Bill Legalizing Marijuana

Virginia Governor Ceremoniously Signs Bill Legalizing Marijuana

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Virginia Governor Ceremoniously Signs Bill Legalizing Marijuana

During a joint press conference on Wednesday; Governor Northam along with advocates and policymakers as he ceremonially signs legislation legalizing the possession of marijuana.

This is a milestone for Virginia. As they are the first state in the south to move forward with legalizing marijuana.

Legalizing marijuana for Virginia was a joint effort. Many people put in long hours to create, approve, and send the legislation to the governor’s desk.

As of July 1, 2021, Virginia will no longer police adults for possessing small amounts of marijuana. This means that people won’t get arrested or face penalties for simple possession.

“We know that marijuana laws in Virginia and throughout this country have been disproportionately enforced against communities of color and low-income Virginians,” Northam said in a press conference.

Last July the governor decriminalized possession of marijuana so that people would no longer face arrest. But data from the court system showed that the law was still being disproportionately enforced. The governor said because of this it is particularly important to him that “we legalize simple possession of marijuana”.

The legislation creates a multi-year plan to promote diverse ownership in the marijuana industry. Including a business equity team to do outreach and provide technical assistance. As well as, creating a framework for social equity loans, and giving preference to social equity qualified businesses.

Legalizing marijuana is just the beginning. Next, they will need to create the new Cannabis Control Authority, reenact parts of the legislation, and establish the regulated industry.

Comments from Legislators

“This [marijuana legalization] has been a long time coming, but we are finally getting there,” said Senator Louise Lucas.

Adam Ebbin. Senator Adam Ebbin talked about how we can take the data and the example set by other states’ legal marijuana programs and apply it to not-yet legal states. For example, people use cannabis responsibility. Governments are able to regulate it and ensure consumer and public safety. Cannabis is also a great revenue source from legal sales. Then people can use the revenue and place it back into communities effected by the failed war on drugs.

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