VCC Spring 2021

V irginia C apitol C onnections , S pring 2021 13 chipdicks @ gentrylocke.com 804.225.5507 gentrylocke.com/chip CHIP DICKS Legislative Counsel Surovell hopes that the measure’s passage will “send a message to the rest of the world that Virginia is back to leading on criminal justice.” Northam; House Speaker Eileen Filler-Corn and Senate Majority Leader Dick Saslaw issued a joint statement regarding the legislations’ passages. “Thanks to the vote of lawmakers in both chambers, Virginia will join 22 other states that have ended use of the death penalty. This is an important step forward in ensuring that our criminal justice system is fair and equitable to all.” Christina Amano Dolan is a senior at Virginia Commonwealth University studying English and Mass Communications degrees. Dolan is a reporter for VCU’s Capital News Service. She is pursuing a career in journalism and independent creative writing. Continued from previous page Virginia lawmakers signed off on amendments that make the possession of small amounts of recreational marijuana and homegrown plants legal in the state in July as opposed to 2024. “On July 1, 2021 dreams come true,” Marijuana Justice stated in a tweet. The group has worked to legalize the use and possession of marijuana for the past two years but said more work must be done. Gov. Ralph Northam proposed changes to House Bill 2312 and Senate Bill 1406, which passed earlier this year during the Virginia GeneralAssembly’s special session. The House and Senate approved the changesWednesday. The bills legalized marijuana possession and sales by Jan. 1, 2024, but marijuana legalization advocates and Democratic lawmakers lobbied to push up the date for recreational possession. Adults 21 years of age or older will be able to legally possess up to 1 ounce of marijuana if they don’t intend to distribute the substance. Marijuana cannot be used in public or while driving, lawmakers said. Virginia decriminalized marijuana last year and reduced possession penalties to a $25 civil penalty and no jail time for amounts up to an ounce. In the past, possessing up to half an ounce could lead to a $500 fine and 30 days in jail. Individuals can also cultivate up to four cannabis plants without legal repercussion beginning July 1, with punishments ranging from misdemeanors to jail time if over the limit. The plants would need to be labeled with identification information, out of sight from public view, and out of range of people under the age of 21. Marijuana retail sales still do not begin until 2024. The amendments passed along party lines in both chambers. Lt. Gov. Justin Fairfax, a Democrat, cast the tie-breaking vote in the Senate. Two Senate Republicans last week stated their support of the amendments, but voted no Wednesday. Sen. Chap Petersen, D-Fairfax, voted no. The vote was 53-44 in the House, with two abstentions. Del. David Bulova, D-Fairfax, voted no. Del. Vivian Watts, D-Annandale, did not vote. “This is an historic milestone for racial justice and civil rights, following years of campaigning from advocates and community groups and a strong push by theVirginia Legislative Black Caucus,” Marijuana Justice stated in a press release when the amendments were announced. Chelsea Higgs Wise, executive director of Marijuana Justice, said last week that legalizing simple marijuana possession now rather than later is important for racial justice. “Waiting until 2024 to legalize simple possession and therefore stop the desperate policing is allowing this continued bias enforcement against BlackVirginians to continue for three years,”Wise said. Accelerating the legislative timeline was key, said Del. Kaye Kory, D-Falls Church, one of more than two dozen legislators who co- sponsored the House bill. “The figures show that it is much more common for a Black or Brown person to be charged with possession,” Kory said. A state study released last year found that from 2010 to 2019 the average arrest rate of Black Virginians for marijuana possession was more than three times higher than that of white residents for the same crime—6.3 per 1,000 Black individuals and 1.8 per white people. This is despite the fact that BlackVirginians use marijuana at similar rates as white residents. The conviction ratewas alsohigher forBlack individuals. Northam stated that people of color were still disproportionately cited for possession even after marijuana was decriminalized. The legislation establishes the Virginia Cannabis Control Authority as the regulatory structure for the manufacture and retail sale of marijuana and marijuana products. The governor’s amendments called for the Virginia Cannabis Control Authority to revoke a company’s business license if it interfered with union organizing efforts; failed to pay a prevailing wage as defined by the U.S. Department of Labor; or classified more than 10% of employees as independent contractors. This part garnered heavy opposition. The amendments are the first attempt to dismantle Lawmakers okay recreational marijuana possession, cultivation By Sam Fowler See Lawmakers okay recreational marijuana possession, cultivation, continued on page 14 Back by popular demand! To buy this award-winning, critically acclaimed book email a request to Bonatwood@verizon.net for the purchase address. $ 15 V