SENATE BILL 1406
Effective July 1, 2021
Governor Northam signed into effect Senate Bill 1406 which legalizes marijuana. Adults over 21 will be able to possess up to an ounce of marijuana.
For fines and details please refer to Bill Text found here
For a full break down of the Bill, we encourage you to visit HERE The Marijuana Policy Project (MPP).
A quite note on MPP, and why we recommend viewing the detailed break down of Senate Bill 1406 on their website. The following is taking directly from their website:
The Marijuana Policy Project (MPP) is the number one organization in the U.S. legalizing cannabis. We passed 13 medical cannabis laws in the past 15 years, and we ran winning campaigns in eight of the 11 legalization states. No organization in the movement has changed as many cannabis laws, impacted as many patients and consumers, created as many new markets, or done more to end cannabis prohibition in the U.S. than MPP.
SOME HIGHLIGHTS OF THE BILL
LEGAL POSSESSION AND GROWING OF:
Commencing on July 1, 2021:
Adults aged 21 and older can possess up to one ounce of cannabis, or the equivalent amount of cannabis related products, and can legally share the same amount with other adults.
Adults can in a secure and discreet manner cultivate up to four cannabis plants at their principle residence. (The four-plant maximum also applies to households, where more than one adult reside) Each plant must have placed upon it a tag with all identifying information pertaining to the grower.
Possessing more than an ounce, but no more than one pound, will be punishable by a civil fine of up to $25.
Possessing more than one pound can result in a prison sentence of up to 1-10 years.
PROHIBITED USE
Commencing on January 1, 2024:
Public consumption of cannabis will carry a civil fine of up to $25 for a first offense. If caught, a second offense would require a substance abuse program. Subsequent offenses would be considered fine-only misdemeanors.
Minors possessing cannabis would be subject to a civil fine of up to $25, additionally they would be required to attend a substance abuse education program.
Possessing cannabis on school grounds will carry up to six months in jail.
Consuming cannabis in a moving motor vehicle will be a fine-only misdemeanor.*
Bringing any cannabis into Virginia will be punishable by up to one year in jail.*
*Denotes penalty that would have to be reviewed and re-approved by the legislature in 2022.
Directly from the MPP Website
The bill automatically shields from public inspection records of misdemeanor cannabis convictions. Employers, landlords, insurance companies, and educational institutions generally may not require an applicant to disclose information for any automatically shielded charge. Individuals need not disclose any shielded conviction.
Governor Northam had this to say, “We made history as the first state in the South to legalize the simple possession of marijuana. I am pleased that the General Assembly accepted my proposal to make this change on July 1, 2021 nearly three years earlier than planned. Marijuana laws were explicitly designed to target communities of color, and Black Virginians are disproportionately likely to be stopped, charged, and convicted. Today, Virginia took a critical step to right these wrongs and restore justice to those harmed by decades of over-criminalization." To view the full press release pertaining to his comments please click here.
In Solidarity,
P. MacManus, Advocate VA Team Member
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