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Home»Crime»Virginia becomes first Southern state to legalize marijuana

Virginia becomes first Southern state to legalize marijuana

April 8, 20215 Mins Read
Virginia State Senate Majority Leader, Sen. Richard Saslaw, center, along with Sen. John Cosgrove, R-Chesapeake, left, talk with new Sen. Travis Hackworth, R-Tazewell, during the Senate reconvene session at the Science Museum of Virginia in Richmond, Va., Wednesday, April 7, 2021. (AP Photo/Steve Helber)

By Sarah Rankin, The Associated Press

Virginia became the first Southern state to legalize marijuana Wednesday, as lawmakers voted to approve Gov. Ralph Northam’s proposed changes to a bill that will allow adults to possess and cultivate small amounts of the drug starting in July.

Northam sent the bill back to lawmakers substantially changed from the version that squeaked out of the General Assembly in February. The amendments lawmakers agreed to Wednesday would accelerate the timeline of legalization by about three years, well before retail sales would begin, a move that’s been cheered by racial justice advocates.

“The time has come for our state to legalize marijuana. The amendments ensure that while we’re doing the complicated work of standing up a commercial market, we aren’t delaying immediate reforms that will make our Commonwealth more equitable for all Virginians,” House Majority Leader Charniele Herring said in urging her colleagues to approve the governor’s changes.

Democrats said the bill was a matter of urgency, a necessary step to end what state figures show is a disparate treatment of people of color under current marijuana laws.

Virginia Lt. Gov., Justin Fairfax, left, speaks with new State Sen. Travis Hackworth, R-Tazewell, during the Senate reconvene session at the Science Museum of Virginia in Richmond, Va., Wednesday, April 7, 2021. (AP Photo/Steve Helber)

Northam’s amendments cleared the House 53-44 with two abstentions during a one-day session held for the purpose of putting the finishing touches on the year’s legislation. In the Senate, lawmakers deadlocked 20-20 and Democratic Lt. Gov. Justin Fairfax broke the tie, voting to approve the changes.

The final version of the legislation would allow adults 21 and up to legally possess up to one ounce (28.3 grams) of cannabis without the intent to distribute beginning July 1. It also would allow the home cultivation of up to four plants per household beginning July 1. Public use of the drug will be prohibited.

“This is not going to generate some ganjafest at Jiffy Lube pavilion out in the parking lot, because that is smoking in public. Just like you can’t drink in public, you can’t smoke in public under this,” Democratic Sen. Scott Surovell said.

It will be years before legal retail sales follow legalized possession. The bill lays out the complex process of creating a new state agency to oversee the marijuana marketplace, with sales beginning and regulations taking effect on Jan. 1, 2024.

Many parts of the bill dealing with the regulatory framework will have to be reapproved by lawmakers next year. The possession and cultivation pieces will not.

Republicans, who overwhelmingly opposed the bill when it initially went through the General Assembly, railed against the latest version, citing several reasons.

GOP Del. Chris Head called the bill “a train wreck.”

“The hard-fought compromise that barely made it out of this chamber and over to the Senate has just been discarded. And why is that? It’s because some activists want marijuana legalized and they want it legalized now, consequences be damned,” he said.

Some Republicans took issue with labor provisions in the new version of the bill, in particular a change that says the government can revoke or suspend licenses issued under the new law in cases where an employer has refused to “remain neutral regarding any union organizing efforts by employees.”

During the legislative session, the Senate sought to legalize simple possession beginning in July, but House Democrats argued that legalization without a legal market for marijuana could promote the growth of the black market. The bill as passed in February would not have legalized simple possession until 2024.

Herring said Wednesday that home cultivation would give Virginians a way to legally acquire cannabis while the retail market is being put in place.

Many of the other amendments lawmakers dealt with Wednesday were minor or technical in nature and dispensed with more easily. Both chambers quickly signed off on a tweak to a sweeping voting rights measure that supporters say will protect and expand access to the ballot box. And they approved minor changes to a measure intended to improve the beleaguered unemployment system.

“As this historic session comes to an end, I am heartened by all that we have done together to advance our priorities and make Virginia stronger, fairer, and more equitable.” – Gov. Ralph Northam

They also approved amendments that will allow both a gun ban on Capitol Square as well as one of the most restrictive bans in the country on the use of facial recognition technology to go into effect.

Both chambers signed off on a budget amendment from Northam that will fund an outside investigation into a small component of a larger controversy over the state parole board. Republicans blasted the governor’s proposal as far less substantive than necessary and said it would allow the administration to keep quiet any unflattering findings.

Lawmakers also rejected a handful of the governor’s proposed amendments. Those measures now go back to Northam, who can either sign the bills as they passed or veto them.

The General Assembly had no veto overrides to consider this year.

Northam said in a statement that this year’s legislative session would be regarded as “one of the most consequential policy-reforming periods in modern Virginia history.”

“As this historic session comes to an end, I am heartened by all that we have done together to advance our priorities and make Virginia stronger, fairer, and more equitable,” he said.

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“It is doomed to failure and will only damage his brand.”With election deadlines approaching, is a last-minute presidential campaign from Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin a good move?read more: rockbridgereport.academic.wlu.edu/2023/10/17/a-presidential-run-for-glenn-youngkin-would-face-log... ... See MoreSee Less

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Better late than never! 😅1️⃣7️⃣ years overdue, Buena Vista is FINALLY upgrading its aging wastewater treatment plant 🙌 ... See MoreSee Less

Buena Vista wastewater treatment plant will be renovated after debt stalled progress for decades - Rockbridge Report

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Buena Vista received a $5 million federal loan, which will help the city refinance debt and upgrade its nearly 40-year-old wastewater facility.
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As reflected by the closing of Southern Inn Restaurant this summer, Lexington business owners are struggling to hire employees.Jak Krouse on why hiring managers still have hope despite the city's staggering labor shortage: ... See MoreSee Less

Labor shortages hurt local business - Rockbridge Report

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Rockbridge County employers have raised wages and cut operating hours because they can’t find enough workers. New businesses on Route 11 may further deplete the labor pool when they open soon.
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rockbridgenews Rockbridge Report @rockbridgenews ·
8 Nov

Next Xfinity Channel 18 live election broadcast at 8:30pm.

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rockbridgenews Rockbridge Report @rockbridgenews ·
8 Nov

🚨Local Election Alert

Tune in to Xfinity Channel 18 for live coverage of local elections alllll niiiight loooooong yeah you! 🎶

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3 Nov

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Tick tock goes the broadcast clock! Tune in to Xfi Tick tock goes the broadcast clock! Tune in to Xfinity Channel 18 at 3:30 for the Tuesday live update.
A large wildfire is continuing to grow just four d A large wildfire is continuing to grow just four days after it broke out… and people in Lexington, Buena Vista and Rockbridge County are feeling the effects. Check out this special report from Luke Fountain and Jenny Hellwig, with contributions from Fraley Williams.
A busy evening for @_jackhunter__ who produced the A busy evening for @_jackhunter__ who produced the 2023 Election Night newscast 😅

Swipe ⬅️ to hear what the big guy had to say about this once in a lifetime opportunity!
Reporter Emma Malinak reporting live from Goshen f Reporter Emma Malinak reporting live from Goshen for today’s broadcast!

The Norfolk and Western Class J 611 train was built in 1950 and was recently restored by the Virginia Museum of Transportation to serve as a traveling exhibit. Excursions on the 611 started running out of Goshen on Oct. 6 and will continue until Nov. 5. About 18,000 tourists have ridden the train, offering business owners a chance to put Goshen on the map by welcoming first-time visitors to town. Hundreds more are experiencing the 611’s journey by driving alongside the locomotive and stopping to take pictures of it at every railroad crossing.

Watch Emma’s story on the Rockbridge Report website (linked in bio) later tonight!
Big blue buses are making their way to Rockbridge Big blue buses are making their way to Rockbridge County schools to provide a new healthcare option for local students. Find out when the operation will begin and what health services they will provide by watching Luke Fountain’s package:
Two new hotels are under construction in Rockbridg Two new hotels are under construction in Rockbridge County. It will be easier to find lodging on busy weekends, but it may lead to vacant rooms during quiet times. Watch Jak Krouse’s story:
The Lexington Police Department is leveling up! 📈

In addition to receiving a 17% pay raise over the last two years, Lex officers are now getting body-worn cameras 📷 

head over to the RR website to read @fraleywilliams’ two stunning stories on the @lexingtonvapd
Better late than never! 😅 1️⃣7️⃣ years Better late than never! 😅

1️⃣7️⃣ years overdue, Buena Vista is FINALLY upgrading its aging wastewater treatment plant.

read @emma.malinak’s beautiful report: https://rockbridgereport.academic.wlu.edu/2023/10/05/buena-vista-wastewater-treatment-plant-will-be-renovated-after-debt-stalled-progress-for-decades/?amp=1
Lexington business owners are struggling to hire e Lexington business owners are struggling to hire employees 🙁

visit our website to read @jakkrouse’s gripping piece on why hiring managers still have hope despite the city’s staggering labor shortage
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