Virginia legislature votes to legalize marijuana, abolish the death penalty

[Zorro]

Source: Washington Post

Virginia's legislature has agreed to legalize marijuana and abolish the death penalty, a dramatic turn for a state once so opposed to change that it mounted "massive resistance" against school integration and stood by its Confederate statues for 155 years after the Civil War.

Friday's votes in the General Assembly make it all but certain Virginia will become the first Southern state to allow legal marijuana sales and end capital punishment. Although both bills need details ironed out, Democrats who control the Senate and House of Delegates wield enough votes to send the measures to the desk of Gov. Ralph Northam (D), who has promised to sign them.

"It is historic, it is transformational," House Speaker Eileen Filler-Corn (D-Fairfax) said in an interview. "Virginia is changing, and some of these historic pieces of legislation — it's what the public wants."

Two Republicans joined all Democrats in the House of Delegates on Friday in approving the death penalty bill, 57 to 41. The Senate had approved a similar bill on Wednesday.

The House and Senate both voted Friday for plans to legalize marijuana that call for retail sales to begin in 2024.

Read more: https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/virginia-politics/virginia-death-penalty-marijuana/2021/02/05/2ac37662-6708-11eb-8c64-9595888caa15_story.html

[soothsayer]

1. And legalized sports betting

My commonwealth has gone wild!

[58Sunliner]

2. Alright-I'm going to be legal!!! You can grow 2 plants for personal consumption at one time.

Last edited Sat Feb 6, 2021, 02:34 PM - Edit history (2)

But it is only 2 plants per household. They have to be labeled with your name, DL# and I think address. This should be posted in Cannabis. After looking for confirmation on the bill, which they are saying will legalize sales in 2024, I can't find info on when home growing will be allowed.

[roamer65]

4. Michigan has gone to pot...literally.

We get 12 personal plants here.

I think it is the most in the country.



Glad to hear VA is following the other legalized states.

[58Sunliner]

5. Seriously, 12 plants! How much dope do you need?? I'm sure they had a reason.

[roamer65]

6. Our Repuke legislature wouldn't comprise, so it was authored by cannabis advocates for referendum.

They got the required signatures and it was on the 2018 ballot and we passed it.

Rammed it right down the Repuke legislature’s throat.

That’s how we got 12 plants.

[58Sunliner]

7. LOL!!

[uncle ray]

14. 12 can be a lot, it can also be a little.

people in states withe limits and those growing illegally and trying to avoid federal limits learn to grow "trees". 12 trees IS a lot of pot. when doing a seed run to find females with the right genetics, 12 is not very many, nor is it for some growing techniques that grow smaller plants.

sounds like i'll be staying in VA on my next trip to DC.

[58Sunliner]

15. Well that is true-you need more plants if you don't use feminized seeds.

The genetics breeding is a separate thing, and might be considered production planting, though there are of course, many hobbyists in the field. I thought 2 was definitely restrictive, but in a major city who will be counting? I won't be growing it in my backyard. Your first fine if you are over the plant limit, is $250.00. With a good breeder your male to female ratio might be 50/50 or 60/40, then account for phenotype. Unfortunately someone with cultivation experience did not have enough input. Maybe it will be decriminalized federally. Not sure how that would play out with state limits. My first legal grow will be Beyond The Brain. On edit-they are making us wait till 2024??!!!!

[Normanart]

3. It seems that Virginia

has finally decided to rejoin the Union. Democrats rule!

[Nitram]

19. "Finally decided to rejoin the union?" I beg your pardon. As a Virginian I resent that remark.

I live in Charlottesville. We tried to take down two Civil War statues and nazis from all over the US flocked to riot in our streets. Virginia has voted for a Democratic president in the last seven elections. Try to catch up!

[jmowreader]

8. How many other states have had the legislature legalize cannabis?

Most states require a citizen's referendum, petitions, the whole nine yards. These guys just whipped it through the legislature and put it on the governor's desk. Good for them.

[OAITW r.2.0]

9. It's like, we not going to send citizens to jail for smoking pot

The logjam on critical thinking has been broken. Let's fill our jails with anti-socialists that want to destroy our way of life....

[black-bear]

10. Virginia is for lovers

Lovers Unite.

[Yeehah]

11. OMG what will Virginia police do with all their time??

Maybe they will have to pursue actual criminals.

[Nocturnowl]

12. Congrats, Virginia

Welcome to the Thinking States!

[djacq]

13. Trending True Blue Virginia!

[OldBaldy1701E]

16. And to think...

that my home state of North Carolina was once described as 'progressive' and 'on the cutting edge' of the 'New South'. So, Tarheels... ball's in your court, or you might as well lower your noses and try to walk away with some dignity. While the old joke is still true (How can you tell when you cross the line into Virginia? When your 4X4 truck gets stuck in a pothole. Hey, I didn't write it...), the Commonwealth has once again shown itself willing to start being more moderate and inclusive in its decision making and its desire to progress as a state. What say you, Old North State?

[COL Mustard]

17. I Believe That Some People Commit Crimes That Are So Horrendous They Should Lose Their Freedom 4ever

But having said that, if a person is wrongfully convicted and incarcerated (and it does happen), we can compensate them for the lost time. If they have been executed, I'm not aware of any way we can make them whole again.

Personal note: I was in the Army with a guy who, after his service was terminated early (he was a real dirtbag), went on to rob a bank in Northeast Pennsylvania and in the process killed three people. He dared the judge to sentence him to death, and the judge complied. The guy played tough until a governor actually signed his death warrant, then he changed his mind and appealed. He got a new trial and life w/o parole, and will die in prison.

On edit, to clarify: I no longer support the death penalty because of its finality.

[generalbetrayus]

18. Congratulations to the Commonwealth of Virginia, where I went to school in 1971-1975,

for finally moving into the 21st century and emulating my resident state of Colorado since 1975.
Sadly, both states still underfund education.

[Nitram]

20. We've been here for a while, dude. Voted for Democratic presidents in the last 7 elections.

Let me see - I think that's 28 years. Some stereotypes need to change.