July 26, 2018

Media Advisory
For Press Inquires:
Jenn Michelle Pedini
804-464-7050
[email protected]

Congressman Scott Taylor to Speak on the Topic of Marijuana Reform in Virginia Beach’s ViBe District

Cocktails & Conversation: An Evening of Cannabis Policy with special guest Congressman Scott Taylor, cosponsor of the Ending Federal Marijuana Prohibition Act of 2017

Virginia Beach, VA: Representative Scott Taylor (R-VA) will address the topic of marijuana reform at Cocktails & Conversation: An Evening of Cannabis Policy at Esoteric on Friday, July 27th, at 6:30pm.

The event will include an overview of federal marijuana policy reform progress by Congressman Taylor, questions from the audience, and an update on reform in Virginia from Jenn Michelle Pedini, executive director of Virginia NORML.

Friday, March 9, Governor Ralph Northam signed HB1251, expanding the affirmative defense for possession of medical cannabis oils to any diagnosed condition. Here's what this means and how it works.

February 21, 2018 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Jenn Michelle Pedini
Executive Director
Virginia NORML
804-464-7050
[email protected]

Delegate Cline’s HB 1251 “Let Doctors Decide” Medical Cannabis Bill Heads to Governor’s Desk

Richmond, Virginia: Delegate Ben Cline’s (R-24) Joint Commission on Healthcare bill, HB 1251, to expand Virginia’s medical cannabis laws, made its final passage in the House of Delegates today and will now head to Governor Ralph Northam’s (D) desk for signature.

February 16, 2018 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Virginia's “Let Doctors Decide” Medical Cannabis Bill Expanded By Governor Northam

Richmond, Virginia: Yesterday, the Virginia Senate Education and Health Committee voted unanimously to pass HB 1251 amended to include a new emergency enactment clause requested by Governor Ralph Northam. The Joint Commission on Healthcare bill, patroned by Delegate Ben Cline R-24, to allow Virginia doctors to recommend the use of medical cannabis oils for the treatment of any diagnosed condition or disease, will go into effect upon his signature.

The 2018 Virginia General Assembly has already seen some significant wins and losses for marijuana-related legislation. Senator Siobhan Dunnavant’s SB726 and Delegate Ben Cline’s HB1251, the Joint Commission on Healthcare bills to expand Virginia’s medical cannabis program, have been well received and are garnering strong bipartisan support. Delegate Cline’s bill has passed the House unanimously, and Senator Dunnavant’s will have its final vote in the Senate next week. If you haven’t already, take action now. Use this link to quickly email your senator and ask them to vote YES!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

February 2, 2018

“Let Doctors Decide” Medical Cannabis Bill Passes Virginia House in Historic Vote 

2017 is drawing to an end, and with the new year comes a new legislature. We have an exciting session ahead of us, and your support is more important than ever. An anonymous donor is matching up to $10,000, making your year-end gift twice as powerful!

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.