We are thrilled to provide a direct line to the policymakers, researchers, and advocates who are championing cannabis policy reform in the Commonwealth, especially in light of the opportunities the 2021 Virginia General Assembly session presents for proposed legislation.

Virginia House and Senate lawmakers have concurred with Governor Ralph Northam’s proposed amendments to legislation filed during a special legislative session, Senate Bill 5029 and House Bill 5058, that severely limits the ability of police to engage in warrantless searches solely on the basis of the smell of marijuana. The new law will be effective March 1, 2021.

Richmond, Va: Virginia NORML today reiterated its call that state lawmakers expeditiously move forward in 2021 with legislation legalizing and regulating the adult-use marijuana market.

The organization reaffirmed its support for legalization following preliminary reports by the City of Alexandria of potentially tainted marijuana products. Thus far, however, those reports have yet to be substantiated by analytical testing.

We are pleased to announce that Dharma Pharmaceuticals will open Saturday, October 17, 2020! Registered patients will be able to purchase medical cannabis products at their Bristol location beginning at 9 AM.

Patients planning to attend the Grand Opening must call 833-434-2762 for an appointment. Dharma will provide patients the opportunity to meet with a pharmacist in a confidential setting, who will help them develop a treatment plan and provide them with information to track their results.

Richmond, VA: During the 2020 Special Session, Virginia House and Senate lawmakers have finalized and passed legislation, Senate Bill 5029 by Senator Louise Lucas (D-18) and House Bill 5058 by Delegate Patrick Hope (D-47), that severely limits the ability of police to engage in warrantless searches solely on basis of the odor of marijuana.

Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney sent a letter to Governor Ralph Northam, House of Delegates Speaker Eileen Filler-Corn, and Senate Majority Leader Dick Saslaw calling for the legalization and regulation of marijuana and the automatic expungement of past convictions. In a tweet announcing his letter, Mayor Stoney urges lawmakers "to unequivocally pursue restorative justice, on August 18 and going forward."

The prohibition of marijuana in America has clearly failed. After six hard years of building support, educating colleagues, and workshopping legislation, I was able to pass SB2, my bill to eliminate the criminal penalty for personal possession of up to an ounce of marijuana and downgrade the offense to a $25 pre-payable fine processed much like a traffic ticket. House Majority Leader Charniele Herring (D-Alexandria) passed companion legislation. Our bills were a critical step to reform our criminal justice system and lay the groundwork for the equitable legalization of cannabis.

Law Change Will Result in Tens of Thousands of Fewer Arrests

Richmond, VA: Legislation passed this spring decriminalizing marijuana possession offenses and sealing the records of past convictions from public view takes effect on Wednesday, July 1, 2020.

“NORML is proud to have worked alongside Senator Ebbin and Delegate Herring, both longtime champions of evidence-based cannabis policy, to bring about these needed changes to Virginia law,” said NORML development director, Jenn Michelle Pedini, who also serves as the executive director of the state affiliate, Virginia NORML. “Virginians have long opposed the criminalization of personal marijuana possession, and the enactment of this legislation turns that public opinion into public policy.”

Richmond, VA: Democratic Governor Ralph Northam has signed legislation (Senate Bill 2 | House Bill 972) decriminalizing marijuana possession. The new law takes effect July 1, 2020 and reduces penalties for offenses involving personal possession of up to one ounce of marijuana to a civil violation – punishable by a maximum $25 fine, no arrest, and no criminal record.

Under current law, minor marijuana possession offenses are classified as criminal misdemeanors, punishable by up to 30 days in jail, a criminal record, and the possible loss of driving privileges. According to data from the Virginia Criminal Sentencing Commission, more than 15,000 people were convicted for a first or second marijuana possession offense from July 2018 to June 2019.

“NORML is proud to have worked alongside Senator Ebbin and Delegate Herring, both longtime champions of evidence-based cannabis policy," said NORML development director, Jenn Michelle Pedini, who also serves as the executive director of the state affiliate, Virginia NORML. "This victory comes after many years of sustained effort by Virginia NORML and its membership. And while we applaud Governor Northam, his administration, and the legislature for taking this step, it’s critical that they work swiftly to legalize and regulate the responsible use of cannabis by adults and begin undoing the damages prohibition has waged on tens of thousands of Virginians."

Richmond, VA: Democratic Governor Ralph Northam has approved legislation (Senate Bill 2 | House Bill 972) decriminalizing marijuana possession offenses. Northam also recommended technical amendments which must be approved by the legislature before the new law takes effect July 1, 2020. 

The law reduces penalties for offenses involving the possession of up to one ounce of marijuana to a civil violation – punishable by a maximum $25 fine, no arrest, and no criminal record.

Under current law, minor marijuana possession offenses are classified as criminal misdemeanors, punishable by up to 30 days in jail, a criminal record, and the possible loss of driving privileges. According to data from the Virginia Criminal Sentencing Commission, more than 15,000 people were convicted for a first or second marijuana possession offense from July 2018 to June 2019.

"Virginians have long opposed the criminalization of personal marijuana possession, and Governor Northam’s signature turns that public opinion into public policy,” said NORML Development Director Jenn Michelle Pedini, who also serves as the executive director of the state affiliate, Virginia NORML. 

The new law also seals the criminal records of past marijuana offenders from employers and school administrators, and defines substances previously considered hashish as marijuana.