Virginia government Ralph Northam is getting pressure from both sides of the political path as he considers adding changes to legislation that would legalize marijuana for adults’ recreational use.
Virginia government Ralph Northam is getting pressure from both sides of the political path as he considers adding changes to legislation that would legalize marijuana for adults’ recreational use.
The General Assembly approved the legislation, which would allow sales of the drug to be legalized in 2024.
But some Democratic lawmakers have called on Northam to amend the bill and move the legalization date to this year.
“I urge my colleagues to join me in asking the governor to legalize marijuana on July 1, 2021,” Democratic Senator Louise Lucas said. written on social media. “If you kick the can along the way, it’s continuing to police people of color.”
A recent study by the Legislature’s Agency for Research and Watchdogs found that the average arrest rate of black people for marijuana possession from 2010 to 2019 was 3.5 times higher than the arrest rate for white people. The study also found that black people were convicted at 3.9 times higher than white people.
The Virginia Senate tried to legalize simple possessions this year to immediately end punishment for people with small amounts of marijuana, but House Democrats argued that legalization without a legal marijuana market could promote the growth of the black market.
Lawyers agree that legalization should come sooner.
“It’s the time for Governor Northam to make some very important changes,” said Jenn Michelle Pedini, executive director of Virginia NORML, which is pushing for the reform of marijuana legislation. ‘Virginians were very clear on this issue. They support legalization and are now ready for it. ”
On the other hand, Northam received a letter from the Republican Republic Bob Good, Virginia, telling the governor not to sign the legislation.
“The legalization of recreational use of marijuana, even if it is only adults, is likely to expose more children to drug use at an impressive young age,” Good wrote. “Marijuana is often the ‘gateway’ drug, and its legalization will increase experimentation with it and other drugs.”
Groups that are completely opposed to legalization said they were concerned it could lead to an increase in drug-disabled driving accidents.
Although Northam said he supports legalization, he has not yet said whether he will add amendments to the legislation.
Legislators have the opportunity to consider possible amendments during next month’s ‘re-session’ of the General Assembly.
With the adoption of the legislation, Virginia became the first southern state to vote to legalize marijuana and joined 15 other states and the District of Columbia.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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