Virginia Lawmakers Approve Governor’s Marijuana Amendment To Speed Up Legalization
The timeline now reads in months, not in years
The Virginia House of Delegates and Senate have both accepted the governor’s amendment to their respective versions of legislation to legalize marijuana in the state, including a revision that will push up the timeline to allow adults to possess and cultivate cannabis for personal use this summer instead of in 2024.
Gov. Ralph Northam (D) has been strongly advocating for the reform, and lawmakers sent bills to legalize marijuana for adult use to his desk in February. Late last month, the governor formally submitted substitute language to the bills, and on Wednesday, both chambers approved the proposed changes to their own versions, with the House accepting its revised measure, 53-44, and the Senate clearing its legislation by a vote of 21-20, with Lt. Gov. Justin Farifax (D) breaking a tie.
In order for the change to officially become law, one of the bodies will next have to approve the opposite chamber’s bill as amended, which is expected to happen later on Wednesday.
After that occurs, the legislation will be enacted without need for any further gubernatorial action since Northam’s revisions will have been approved as submitted. One of the most notable amendments makes it so possession of cannabis by adults 21 and older will be legal on July 1 of this year, rather than on January 1, 2024 as the measure originally stipulated.
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