Virginia Lawmakers Approve Another Round Of Marijuana Reforms While Broader Legalization Is Studied

Marijuana reform is speeding through the Virginia legislature during a summer special session, with another round of legislation advancing last week. On Friday, the House of Delegates approved a bill to further reduce cannabis penalties by making possession in a motor vehicle a secondary offense instead of a primary one. The measure would also prevent law enforcement from conducting searches or seizing property based on the odor of marijuana alone. Making possession a secondary offense means that a summons couldn’t be issued unless a person is also charged with a separate, second violation. Lawmakers passed the measure in a 54-44 vote. The move comes one week after the Senate approved its own version of the legislation, meaning the stage is set to resolve differences and potentially get the reform to the governor’s desk. The House bill contains a unique provision to prohibit individual jurisdictions from enacting ordinances that would make a violation a primary offense if it’s considered a secondary offense under state law. BREAKING: Del. @HopeforVirginia's HB 5058 to end pretextual policing and stop the police from using the odor of marijuana to search your car passed the VA House on a 54-44 vote. Kudos to @JusticeFwdVa for their work moving this legislation forward! https://t.co/u58PpzmSO7 — ACLU of Virginia (@ACLUVA) September 4, 2020 Virginia lawmakers approved a bill to decriminalize simple marijuana possession earlier this year, and it went into effect on July 1. It makes possession of up to one ounce a civil penalty punishable by a $25 fine…

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