Adult-use cannabis legalization is slowly gaining popularity and demand throughout various states of the country. As a matter of fact, this is evidenced by the number of states that have voted marijuana into legalization just 2020. Despite the increasing call for action to legislators and the federal government, there are still many states that have yet to translate such needs into action.
Virginia is finally keeping pace with its neighboring states and other counties that have already started to decriminalize and even legalize the drug. Both the Senate and the House of Delegates approved marijuana legalization bills, namely Senate Bill 1406 and House Bill 2312 last Friday, February 5, 2021. Following this, the approved bills are slated to pave way for the access of adult-use cannabis come 2024.
Should the momentous move take place, The Washington Post states that Virginia will be the first Southern state to legalize marijuana sales. Apart from this, the state has also agreed to put an end to the death penalty. Details about the two bills, however, still needs to be fixed before being passed into law.
Besides being the first Southern state to legalize adult-use marijuana, Virginia is also slated to become the 16th state to legalize recreational cannabis use and the third state to do so via the legislative committees.
Both the Senate Bill 1406 and House Bill 2312 tackles the legalization of adult-use cannabis and the personal cultivation of the plant by Virginians aged 21 and up. Moreover, these bills also seek for the expungement of a number of marijuana-related offenses and more importantly, make a regulatory framework for the manufacturing and sale of cannabis in the state.
Both of the bills also maintained that a portion of the cannabis revenues will be allocated for programs geared toward pre-K, at-risk youth, and some for other public health initiatives, states the Rolling Stone.
In a statement, Senator Adam Ebbin said, “I think that Virginia is on a path to an equitable legalization plan for marijuana. There have been a few bumps, but I’m hopeful that we’ll have a polished bill we can agree upon on in the next few weeks.”
Despite similarities in its initiatives, there are still key differences between the two bills. Lawmakers are expected to resolve such issues and differences at a later session. One of the main differences between the two is the scope and role that the local government will play in implementing this.
Apart from the aforementioned scope, the Associated Press states that Senate Bill 1406 gives localities the option to opt out of allowing retail stores to operate within its area. The same news site also reveals that the Senate version seeks to require another vote by the legislators in order to help finalize the framework.
According to Newsweek, House Bill 2312 was approved by the House of Delegates with a vote of 55 to 42. Meanwhile, the Senate committee approved Senate Bill 1406 with a 23 to 15 result. The Washington Post said the Senate vote saw two Republicans join in pushing for the legalization of the drug, while one Republican did note vote at all.
Prior to the vote, the Rolling Stone said the Del. Don Scott from Portsmouth remarked, “If you want to help marginalized communities, here is an opportunity. This is an opportunity to invest in those communities that have been decimated by the so-called war on drugs and to give us an economic leg up.”
Following the passing of the bills, sponsor of House Bill 2312 House Majority Leader Charniele Herring from Alexandria took to social media platform Twitter to celebrate the momentous win, saying “This legislation will provide long overdue justice for so many marginalized communities in Virginia.”
Though the movement of the bills looks promising, these will still be required to be signed and approved by Governor Ralph Northam for these to become law. However, the Virginia governor has already voiced support for marijuana legalization in the state, citing the unequal treatment of people of color for marijuana-related crimes as part of his motivation to rally for change, shares the Associated Press.
Several organizations and individuals voiced their opposition for this, including the likes of the clergy, policemen, recovery industry, and Republicans. The Washington Post shares that a number of Republicans that the issue itself poses problems, especially with the commonwealth focusing on legalizing cannabis rather than providing vaccines for its people.
Many of these advocates reportedly believe that the number of casualties caused by the use of marijuana and driving under its influence will rise over time. By extension, the Associated Press states that these advocates also say that the use of marijuana among younger generations and those below 21 will increase, plus posing problems by accidental poisoning to children.
Del. Don L. Scott Jr. from Portsmouth said that “There is already a thriving $.18 billion marijuana market right now in the commonwealth of Virginia. Here is our opportunity to make it safer, to regulate it, to get tax revenues from it,” reports The Washington Post.
Economic Impact of Legalizing Marijuana in Virginia
Legalizing cannabis in the state of Virginia is slated to bring in millions of tax revenues per year. Based on the article by DCist, the estimated amount that the recreational cannabis industry will bring ranges from $31 to $62 million during the first year of implementation alone come 2024.
As the industry picks up, Wavy reports that the total marijuana industry could rake in around $698 million to $1.2 billion every year. This could also give up to $274 million in tax revenues, bringing in more funding to states and giving them the ability to allocate tax revenues as they see fit, especially for programs they want to get on the road.
Because of its large returns the marijuana industry promises to bring, the DCist states that this has prompted Virginia Governor Ralph Northam to prioritize the approval of the bills.
The approval of bills and its passing onto laws could also mean more jobs for Virginian citizens, something which could help uplift the economy, especially after suffering from the effects of the global health crisis of the virus pandemic in 2020.
Varying sectors would require the aid of Virginians, from farming, manufacturing, processing, and even selling cannabis products in the state, giving opportunities to communities and individuals in need. Furthermore, these can draw in investment opportunities, boosting the local economic business in the state.
With the tax revenues it can bring, the state could funnel some of the revenues towards alleviating the effects of the pandemic, apart from the intended allocations initially outlined by the Senate and House Bills.
Accessibility of Marijuana in the State
The impending passing of the legalization of marijuana in Virginia comes as more and more people are exploring cannabis use not only to deal with various health conditions, but also to cope with the effects of the pandemic. As many businesses shut down, medical marijuana patients are limited to getting their cannabis from weed delivery companies.
As of writing, marijuana is still illegal for recreational use. The state, however, has already decriminalized possession for small amounts of the drug, including up to an ounce where the maximum fine for possession is simply $25.
The sale and manufacturing of marijuana products are counted as a felony. Violators may get jail time ranging anywhere from a year to life, while minors can get up to 50 years in prison. Activities that fall under this category are fined from $2,500 to $100,000. Transporting, however, is fined up to a million dollars and can get individuals anywhere from five to 40 years.
Though cannabis use is still largely illegal from a recreational standpoint, medical marijuana patients from Virginia can still get access, and by extension, possess a certain amount of medical cannabis for their treatment. This is only possible with the help of a licensed doctor who has prescribed the treatment and provided the patient qualifies for certain health conditions.
With many patients within the state requiring access to the drug, some dispensaries have started opening their doors and have started offering other services to keep up with the needs of its customers. One of the more revolutionary approaches as of late is weed delivery in parts of Virginia, allowing medical marijuana patients to obtain their prescription needs without going through the hoops.
The Bottom Line
The regulatory framework for implementing the legalization of marijuana in the state of Virginia is still very much complex. With the joint efforts and movements from the Senate and House committees, as well as other lawmakers, Virginians may soon have access to cannabis products and economic opportunities.
With full legalization of adult-use cannabis within sight, the promise towards widened accessibility of the drug and what it brings to the table in terms of health benefits has only become more apparent. What’s more, communities, especially people of color, will finally be given the justice they deserve, alongside with opening up opportunities of furthering discussion and influence of what the marijuana industry can bring to different states.