Tagged With: Virginia
Virginia Medical Cannabis Bills Clear Senate Committee
Three medical cannabis bills cleared the Senate Committee on Education and Health this morning and are headed to the Senate floor. Senator Siobhan Dunnavant’s SB1557 would clarify last year’s landmark Let Doctors Decide medical cannabis legislation. It seeks to redefine allowed dosage limitations and formulations, and expand patient access and reduce patient cost by adding nurse practitioners and physician … Continue reading
Virginia Delegate Files Bill to Allow Medical Cannabis Use at Schools
Virginia State Delegate Chris L. Hurst (D-12) has filed HB 1720 to allow students registered with Virginia’s medical cannabis program to use their medicine at school and school-sponsored activities. If passed, the bill would prohibit a school board from suspending or expelling from school attendance a student who possesses or uses Virginia’s allowed medical cannabis oils … Continue reading
Virginia: Crime Data Shows Surge In Marijuana Arrests
Marijuana-related arrests increased over 20 percent between the years 2016 and 2017, according to crime data compiled by the Virginia State Police. Law enforcement officials made 27,852 arrests for marijuana violations, according to the report – up from 21,637 in 2016. At that time, Virginia ranked sixth in the nation for total marijuana arrests (trailing … Continue reading
Virginia NORML Considered Instrumental in Passage of Medical Marijuana Expansion Legislation
Virginia NORML has been focused on securing access and protection from prosecution for all patients since 2016. This session, our efforts paid off with unanimous passage of our Let Doctors Decide legislation, supported by the Joint Commission on Healthcare, in both the House and Senate. Patients like Nikki Narduzzi, who is now our coalition director … Continue reading
Virginia State Crime Commission Holds Hearing On Decriminalization
On Monday, October 30th, I took a short trip down to Richmond, Virginia to testify alongside Virginia NORML regarding proposals to decriminalize the personal possession of marijuana, in order for those who are stopped by law enforcement to no longer face jail time or a criminal charge. Among the policy proposals are options that are line … Continue reading
Virginia: Tell The Crime Commission to Decriminalize Marijuana
Members of the Virginia State Crime Commission are seeking written comments from the public regarding the topic of decriminalizing marijuana possession. Under current Virginia law, the possession of one-half ounce of cannabis or less is classified as a criminal misdemeanor, punishable by up to 30 days in jail and a $ 500 fine. The commission … Continue reading
Virginia: Tell The Crime Commission to Decriminalize Marijuana
Members of the Virginia State Crime Commission are seeking written comments from the public regarding the topic of decriminalizing marijuana possession. Under current Virginia law, the possession of one-half ounce of cannabis or less is classified as a criminal misdemeanor, punishable by up to 30 days in jail and a $ 500 fine. The commission … Continue reading
Two New Virginia Laws Foreshadow Larger Cannabis Policy Changes
A common cliché for overcoming a difficult obstacle asks, “how do you eat an elephant?” The answer is, “one bite at a time.” In Virginia politics, the tough question facing cannabis policy reform advocates is, “how do you change the minds of political Elephants?” The answer is, “one law at a time.” Although progress in cannabis reform has been slow in … Continue reading
Virginia: Juvenile Expungement Bill Fails In House Committee
UPDATE: SB 796 has passed the Senate but was tabled on February 15 on a voice vote by the House Courts of Justice, Subcommittee on Criminal Law. The measure will not be considered further this session. ——– Sen. Ryan McDougle has introduced SB 796, which creates a expungement by petition process for individuals under 21 … Continue reading
West Virginia: Lawmakers Approve Amended Medical Marijuana Measure
West Virginia legislators on Thursday approved a significantly amended version of Senate Bill 386, which seeks to establish a state-regulated medical cannabis program. The measure now awaits action from Democrat Gov. Jim Justice, who has previously expressed support for permitting qualified patients access cannabis therapy. If signed into law, West Virginia will become the 30th … Continue reading
