Community-driven report reflects recommendations of the Virginia Marijuana Legalization Work Group

Today, Governor Ralph Northam released his administration’s report on the impact of legalizing adult-use marijuana in the Commonwealth of Virginia. The report highlights the recommendations set forth by the Virginia Marijuana Legalization Work Group, a diverse, stakeholder-driven process that included community leaders, healthcare professionals, policy experts, and government officials.

Following months of deliberation, the workgroup’s blueprint concludes the request by lawmakers (as part of the decriminalization legislation passed by the General Assembly earlier this year) to study the ramifications of full legalization on our Commonwealth. The findings come on the heels of Governor Northam’s recent announcement that he intends to support marijuana legalization during the 2021 legislative session.

“We will advance new laws to make sure that our Commonwealth legalizes marijuana the right way,” said Governor Northam. “Virginia has studied the experience of other states and this report lays out a path forward that leads with social equity, public health, and public safety.” 

The comprehensive report, which includes nearly 400 pages of meeting minutes, outlines various aspects of marijuana legalization in the Commonwealth including taxation, banking, criminal justice, licensing and regulation, and consumer safety. It also provides additional details on five key principles that Governor Northam wishes to see in any final legalization bill: 

• Social equity, racial equity, and economic equity. Marijuana prohibition historically has been based in discrimination, and criminalization laws have disproportionately harmed minority communities. Legislation should focus on undoing these harms by including initiatives such as social equity license programs, access to capital, community reinvestment, and sealing or expunging records of past marijuana-related convictions.

• Public health. Legislation should include substance abuse prevention efforts in schools and communities.

• Protections for young people. As a pediatrician, Governor Northam will require any legislation include protections for Virginia’s youth, including age limits, mandatory ID checks, and education campaigns.

• Upholding the Virginia Indoor Clean Air Act. Legislation should be aligned with the Virginia Indoor Clean Air Act prohibiting indoor tobacco use, which Governor Northam championed as a state Senator.

• Data collection. Legislation should ensure Virginia collects appropriate and ongoing information on safety, health, and equity.

The Virginia Marijuana Work Group, led by the Secretaries of Agriculture and Forestry, Finance, Health and Human Resources, Public Safety, and Homeland Security consulted with numerous experts in compiling its recommendations during its 15 public meetings between July and October.

Organizations such as the Minority Cannabis Business Association, NoLef Turns, and Decriminalize Virginia aided in crafting a blueprint with an emphasis on social justice and equity, while public health policy consultants and practicing physicians studied the numerous health and safety ramifications. The team also worked closely with government officials from several states that have already successfully legalized marijuana, such as Washington, Massachusetts, and Illinois.

The full report is available here. Additional information about the Virginia Marijuana Work Group can be found here.