Three great bills in Virginia

Published: January 13, 2012

It’s my pleasure to tell you that advocates of marijuana policy reform have at least three bills to be excited about in the 2012 session of Virginia’s General Assembly.

The first, HJ 140, sponsored by Arlington Democrat David Englin, would create a joint subcommittee of delegates and senators tasked with studying the revenue impact on Virginia of taxing and regulating the sale of marijuana – in other words, ending marijuana prohibition in Virginia. Please ask your legislators to support this study.

The second, HJ 139, also sponsored by Englin, is a resolution calling on Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell to support a rescheduling petition submitted last month by governors from Rhode Island and Washington state that would move marijuana out of Schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act so that it can be regulated and studied just like other medications. Please ask your legislators to vote “yes” on HJ 139.

Finally, HB 485, sponsored by Roanoke Democrat Onzlee Ware, is pro-job legislation that would make changes to Virginia’s expungement laws, making it easier for individuals charged with possession of marijuana to have court and arrest records expunged (i.e. hidden for purposes of background checks). In other words, it would alleviate employment discrimination against individuals who choose to use marijuana. Click here to support Del. Ware’s bill.

Thanks to Michael Krawitz and other activists in Virginia for making it possible to share all this good news, and thank you for supporting the Marijuana Policy Project.