Virginia marijuana legalization: What worked, what hasn’t worked, and what’s ahead in 2022

On April 8, Virginia became the first southern state to legalize the possession and use of marijuana by adults and the bill was signed into law July 1 by Gov. Ralph Northam.

“It is a huge day for equity in the commonwealth,” said then-House Majority Leader Del. Charniele Herring, D-Alexandria, after an exhaustive legislative process putting together the 300-page bill that was introduced by Sen. Adam Ebbin and Senate President pro tempore Louise Lucas.

“Virginia is now the first state in the South to legalize recreational marijuana use, and I am so proud to have been able to carry this monumental legislation,” said Herring.

But not everyone was supportive of the decision.

“We are sending a message to our kids that it is okay to do drugs in Virginia now,” said Republican Sen. Amanda Chase of Chesterfield County. “As a mom of four young adults I don’t like that message. I think it is selfish. I think it is reckless, and I think it is irresponsible.”

It’s been almost six months since marijuana legalization became commonwealth law, but there is a major shift about to happen in Richmond combined with an 11th-hour reenactment clause coming up for the General Assembly session in 2022. What does this mean for the year ahead? [Read More @ The News Leader]