WASHINGTON — The Virginia State Crime Commission announced Wednesday that it will study whether marijuana should be decriminalized in the commonwealth.
The commission’s executive committee agreed to do the study.
The study had been requested by Senate Majority Leader Tommy Norment, who said at a city council event in Norfolk last year that it was crazy that people are being locked up for the crime.
Virginia is one of 30 states where is a crime punishable with jail time to possess a small amount of marijuana. Maryland is among a growing number of states where a civil fine is issue when such a crime is committed. In D.C., it is legal to possess small amounts of marijuana, but it comes was a list of stipulations, like it cannot be used in public nor can it be bought or sold.
Efforts to decriminalize possessing marijuana in Virginia have failed in recent years.
As a sign of the changing times, a majority of the candidates running for governor have supported the reform effort.
Lt. Gov. Ralph Northam, a Democrat candidate for governor, tweeted his support for the study, saying, “One step at a time. We’ll chalk this one up for a win.”
One step at a time. We'll chalk this one up for a win. https://t.co/3cwfLjeIuh
— Ralph Northam (@RalphNortham) April 5, 2017
Fellow Democrat Tom Perriello called the announcement great news in a tweet, adding, “Decrim [sic] reform is long overdue and this is an important first step toward fixing a broken system that locks up too many people.”
Great news.
Decrim reform is long overdue and this is an important first step toward fixing a broken system that locks up too many people. https://t.co/W5TXO0zF2L
— Tom Perriello (@tomperriello) April 5, 2017
There has even been support from Republicans on the matter.
Prince William County Board of Supervisors chairman Corey Stewart had said during a debate in February he supports decriminalization.
Stewart’s primary opposition, Ed Gillespie, isn’t onboard with changing marijuana laws. At least, not yet.
“While Ed opposes marijuana legalization or decriminalization, he does support exploring reforms to make sure that penalties align appropriately to the offense committed. He looks forward to the results of the Commission’s study,” Gillespie’s Deputy Communications Director Abbi Sigler told WTOP in a statement Thursday.
The report is expected by next year’s legislative session.
