Landmark legislation that would make Virginia the first state in the South to legalize marijuana is heading toward its first full votes before the House and Senate this week.
And while the proposal has garnered consistent â and in some cases bipartisan â support, significant debate remains on key details of the proposal, including when and how criminal penalties should be rolled back as the state begins working to establish a legal marketplace for the drug.
Lawmakers and advocates said the question became even more important last week as the legislation was amended in both the House and Senate to push the start of retail sales to Jan. 1, 2024, a full year later than the 2023 date proposed by Gov. Ralph Northam.
By: The Associated Press
and last updated 2021-01-27 16:58:07-05
RICHMOND, Va. The Virginia Senate on Wednesday approved a measure rebuking one of its most far-right members for a âpattern of unacceptable conduct, including an allegation that she voiced support for those who participated in storming the U.S. Capitol.
On a vote of 24-9, the Democrat-controlled chamber advanced a resolution censuring Amanda Chase, a senator from suburban Richmond who is seeking the GOP nomination for governor.
The vote followed a long debate that featured scathing rebukes from Chase s colleagues on both sides of the political aisle. She launched into a series of personal and professional attacks on some of her fellow senators, noting that some of them have had their own behavioral and legal troubles in the past. She also threatened to file a lawsuit if they voted in favor of the censure.
Lawmakers debate potential framework of legalizing marijuana in Virginia
Lawmakers debate potential framework of legalizing marijuana in Virginia
and last updated 2021-01-19 18:25:42-05
RICHMOND, Va. A bill that would legalize the recreational use of marijuana in Virginia and set the framework the potential billion-dollar industry got its first hearing before state lawmakers Tuesday morning.
Governor Ralph Northam (D) has publicly backed the effort, which as currently written would allow sales to those 21 and older starting in January 2023.
Although many lawmakers and activists expect the legislation to pass this year, what the regulatory framework looks like will be hotly debated in the weeks to come.
Groups that oppose legalizing marijuana speak out Marijuana bud (FILE) (Source: MIke Fussell, WAVE 3 News) By Joe Dashiell | January 19, 2021 at 10:10 PM EST - Updated January 19 at 10:22 PM
RICHMOND, Va. (WDBJ) - A General Assembly subcommittee began work on marijuana legislation Tuesday, as a coalition of opponents spoke out against legalization.
Members of the Senate Rehabilitation and Social Services - Subcommittee on Marijuana heard from the public, but most of their discussion centered on how the state should regulate the industry.
“I don’t see how this fits in ABC,” Sen. Ryan McDougle (R-Hanover) said of the Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority. “I think it has to be a separate entity.”