Bermuda Has Plans to Legalize Cannabis But is Wary of UK Approval
by Chane Leigh
A key Virginia Senate committee approved a bill to decriminalize possession of cannabis recently. The Virginian Judiciary Committee advanced the modest decriminalization proposal, SB 2, in an 11-2 vote. This bill raises the threshold amount of cannabis subject to the offense of distribution or possession with intent to distribute from one-half ounce to one ounce and decriminalizes simple cannabis possession and instead it becomes a civil penalty fine of no more than $50.
Under the proposal that advanced to the full Senate Judiciary Committee, the $50 fine would be imposed, regardless of the number of offenses. It is important to note that the decriminalization of cannabis does not make it legal. In fact, it is still illegal – your cannabis will be confiscated and you will be given a fine. While some advocates feel this bill doesn’t do enough, they also agree that enacting a decriminalization bill such as SB 2, is a step on the path toward eventual full legalization.
Advocates ultimately seek legalization and an end to cannabis prohibition in lieu of decriminalization because of common disproportionate enforcement on minorities. The state’s chapter of the ACLU has voiced opposition to the legislation, arguing that it doesn’t do enough to protect minority communities from being caught up in cannabis criminalization. Nine other bills have been introduced this session relating to the possession of cannabis. Some propose legalization, while others propose decriminalization.
House Bills filed that are similar include HB 1507, HB 87 and HB 269, they propose the legalization of cannabis, which would lift existing laws that prohibit possession of the substance. HB 87 would eliminate criminal penalties for possession of cannabis for persons who are 21 years of age or older. HB 87 also decriminalizes cannabis possession for persons under 21 years of age but this bill stalled while being referred to committee in December 2019.
At the Virginia Cannabis Summit in December 2019 Attorney General Mark Herring, was quoted saying, “It’s clear to me that the time for cannabis reform has come. Justice demands it. Virginians are demanding it. And I’m going to help make sure we get this right.” Public opinion about cannabis legalization has been on the up for the last decade, and statewide cannabis reform measures are being introduced and enacted across the globe almost daily. There have been more states with some form of cannabis legalization than not for several years now.
Many bills have been introduced and some make it to committee however legislators are realistic and recognize it will take more work to convince the Virginia General Assembly to send such a bill to the governor’s desk for a signature. Gov. Ralph Northam ran on the decriminalization issue back in 2017 and blogged that one of the best ways to change sentencing laws that disproportionately hurt minorities is to decriminalize cannabis. Yet now going on three years later, the state has yet to enact any new cannabis legislation.
Medical cannabis helps millions of patients across the U.S. According to the Marijuana Policy Project, more than 4.3 million Americans have medical cards. That’s almost 2% of eligible persons in states where medical cannabis is legal, as of December. However, access to medical cannabis is not the same across states. In a study of recent…
Thanks to some of its participants, the DC Capitol Seige Riot set the cannabis stigma back as rioters consumed irresponsibly in the Rotunda. To help boost morale for the COVID vaccines, the Joints for Jabs campaign will be giving away free cannabis outside of DC vaccine clinics. And Texas, of all places, is flirting with…
As we prepare to usher in our newly elected president of the United States, Joe Biden, many of us wonder what he has in store for the cannabis industry, community and culture. The majority of the eyes seem to be peering upon the newly emerging legal cannabis industry. Meanwhile, the community and culture that helped…
On December 14th, 2020, Irish lawmaker Gino Kenny tweeted great news for the country of Ireland. “Next year, People Before Profit will bring forward legislation to end the prohibition of cannabis in Ireland. This will be the first time in eight years that a bill to legalize cannabis will be before the Dáil. Looking forward…
PTSD can have far-reaching effects on health, functionality as well as on quality of living, which is why having access to effective treatment is so important. If you are living with PTSD or are living with someone who has PTSD, you would have first-hand experience with how challenging it can be getting through life on…
The future of cannabis seems to be drifting to mega-companies and corporations that cultivate greenery for the masses. Or is it? Some…
A team of researchers understood that one of the biggest uncertainties for many who have yet to decide whether they support cannabis…
Research has consistently shown that cannabis Video Transcript: A topical cannabis spray that helps treat skin conditions is in development and a…