Virginia governor approves decriminalization of cannabis

Virginia's governor announced on Sunday that he had approved a bill to decriminalize cannabis in his state. The legislation, which will make possession of one ounce (28g) of cannabis punishable by a fine of 25$ with no jail time and no criminal record, was passed by lawmakers and forwarded to the Governor's office in February.

Until now, Virginia punished simple possession with a maximum fine of 500$, up to 30 days in jail and a criminal record.

Democratic Governor Ralph Northam approved the legislation without a public signing ceremony due to the coronavirus epidemic. He also called for looking further into the possibilities of legalizing cannabis.

Every Virginian deserves access to a fair and equitable criminal justice system--these bills combat mass incarceration, increase support for returning citizens, and ensure that those who have paid their debt to society have a meaningful second chance.https://t.co/unQRbdPqwH

- Governor Ralph Northam (@VAGovernor73) April 12, 2020

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Ralph Northam has also signed several other cannabis-related bills in recent days. He has legalized medical cannabis, which until now had relied solely on the affirmative defense of patients, i.e. the recognition of an offence justified, however, by their medical situation, has now been officially recognized. authorized access to medical cannabis by patients from other states temporarily residing in Virginia. He also requested to study the possibility of extending the medical cannabis program to include flower rather than oil alone.

A resolution asking the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission to make recommendations on the legalization of cannabis for adult use was also approved by the legislature in March.

Attorney General Mark Herring, who will run to replace the governor in 2021, welcomed the move, but called for more.

And just like that we're one step closer to decriminalization. But we can't stop there. We need full legalization in Virginia https://t.co/T28WFcncut

- Mark Herring (@MarkHerringVA) April 12, 2020

«Our approach to cannabis has unnecessarily burdened Virginians, especially African Americans and people of color, with criminal records. This is a new day in the Commonwealth,» Herring said in a press release. «Decriminalization is an incredibly important first step that many thought Virginia would never see, but we can't stop until we have legal, regulated adult use. With this legislation, we're moving Virginia toward an even more fair and equal place. This year, we've shown that smart, progressive reform is possible here in the Commonwealth, and we must continue on that path.»

Virginia is the 27th U.S. state to decriminalize cannabis, and the first to do so in 2020. Last year, three states New Mexico, Hawaii and the North Dakota, also approved the policy change.