Virginia decriminalizes marijuana
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| A Beyond Hello medical marijuana dispensary owned by the Jushi Co. The company plans to open a state-approved dispensary in Manassas. |
Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam signed into law several bills May 21 passed by the General Assembly relating to the decriminalization of marijuana possession. The new laws take effect July 1.
Anyone caught by the police with up to an ounce of marijuana will be charged a civil penalty of no more than $25. A violator will receive a summons, similar to a summons for a motor vehicle violation. There would be no court costs.
Under current law, anyone caught with possession of marijuana, can be charged a maximum fine of $500 and a maximum 30-day jail sentence for a first offense. A second offense is a Class 1 misdemeanor, which carries a fine up to $2,500, or a 12-month jail sentence, or both.
The new law also states that possession of small amounts of marijuana won’t be recorded in a person’s criminal history. If the violation occurs while driving, however, it will be reported to the Department of Motor Vehicles and included on the individual’s driving record.
Democratic Caucus chair Del. Charniele Herring, who represents the 46th District in Alexandria, was the chief patron of the bill. Del. Kaye Kory (D-38th District), who represents much of Annandale/Mason District, was one of several co-sponsors.
Related story: Physicians in Virginia can register to approve cannabis oil for any medical condition
Another bill signed by Northam May 21 raises the threshold for an offense related to the distribution or possession with intent to distribute marijuana from one-half ounce to one ounce. Anyone convicted can petition to have their record expunged once court costs, fines, and restitution have been paid.
Northam also signed a bill allowing the state’s Board of Pharmacy to issue up to five permits for cannabis dispensing facilities within each health service area. The previous limit was one permit per service area. The chief patron of this bill was Sen. Dave Marsden (D-37th District), who represents a portion of the Annandale/Mason area.
8 responses to “Virginia decriminalizes marijuana”
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Regardless, any federal employee who is exposed to marijuana whether or not it is intentional can be fired and there is no appeal. If tested and a positive result, you are out.
That's just like your opinion, man.
This isn’t Nam Walter, there are rules
Hey Anonymous 5/25/20 7:58PM
Great response.
I doubt anyone here gets it.
Jesus.
Nobody f**** with the jesus
There will be so many federal employees and contractors losing jobs over this, but that is there loss and someone else's gain.
If a dude with a security clearance isn’t smart enough to realize federal law trumps state then I don’t want them having a security cleance
Not just clearances, it is a reason to fire any federal employee.