August is here and though summer is winding down, Virginia NORML is swinging into action. This month we’ll focus on letter writing to lawmakers and commissions in support of common sense marijuana policy reform. We’re gearing up for our national conference and lobby day in September, relaunching our Hampton Roads chapter, and celebrating two successful years in Culpeper County. Now with seven events happening around the state every month, there are more opportunities than ever for Virginians to actively support reform in their neighborhoods.

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 Virginia, two recent bills signed by Governor Terry McAuliffe are significant signs that change is coming, and quicker than ever before.

Recently, the Virginia State Crime Commission agreed to undertake a study on decriminalization. From a perspective well-represented in comments on Facebook, decriminalization has been implemented around the country for nearly two decades. And, with the nationwide trend toward regulating both adult and medical use, why does Virginia still need a study? Why won’t Virginia lawmakers just move forward with the seemingly obvious solution of decriminalization? The answer lies in legislative procedure.

On March 28, 2017, Virginia’s Lieutenant Governor Ralph Northam was in lively downtown Norfolk for a fundraising event hosted by several local residents at the art gallery and event space Work│Release. With cocktails and hors d'oeuvres, the atmosphere was that of a classy celebration. Despite recent events and elections viewed unfavorably by the gathered democratic supporters, this event focused on hopeful future longed for by most Americans. Ralph Northam made his case for why he was the man to bring Virginia to that future.

You can only do something the first time once. For the first time, Virginia is implementing rules and regulations that will allow the creation of a regulated medical marijuana industry in Virginia. The executive director of Virginia NORML traveled to Norfolk for a presentation on the ins and outs of the new law.

On March 7th, Decriminalize Virginia Beach’s first event was a success. Why? Because it happened. For an issue to be discussed by a city council, it must be brought before the city council. After over 25 years of living in this city, I have finally realized the power of speaking truth to power in a professional presentation. With only three minutes, it also had to be concise.

Hampton Roads includes nine independent Virginia cities, with the Chesapeake Bay dividing the Southside and the Peninsula. Much like the Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel connects these two regions, the rising support for decriminalization is uniting communities across Southeastern Virginia.

Although the Virginia Beach Tea Party does not generally invoke thoughts of marijuana reform, thankfully, this is not the case. At a forum sponsored by the group, three Republican Lieutenant Governor candidates squared off to highlight their individual strengths. To be blunt, there were significant differences, particularly on the topic of marijuana policy.

Alison Brophy Champion of the The Culpeper Star Exponent reports on Eastern View High School's tenth grade English assignment: Should marijuana be legalized in Virginia for recreational use?

Culpeper County resident Pam Novy, executive director of the Virginia chapter of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws, or NORML, felt the discussion at Eastern View High School was appropriate, noting that people of all ages are talking about it.

“This is a topic young people discuss regularly when the adults are not around, so I think this particular teacher is very astute to tap into that,” Novy said Tuesday. “This is a current event that will influence the upcoming elections, and high school sophomores are on the precipice of becoming voters, so this is an excellent time to teach them the value of dissecting issues relevant to our country and community.”

Read the article here.

WVTF's Sandy Hausman reports on the Virginia Senate's recent passage of a bill to allow cancer patients to use cannabidiol, an oil derived from the marijuana plant.

"The director of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws’ Virginia chapter cheered, but Pam Novy thinks the state would do well to pass a more comprehensive medical marijuana bill that includes people with chronic pain, PTSD and other conditions that have been successfully treated with pot."

Read the article here.