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Virginia General Assembly Votes to Recriminalize Possession of Marijuana
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Anthony Hornes
Jul 7, 2023, 2:12:44 PM7/7/23
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The Virginia General Assembly has taken a significant step to SHOP WITH US towards recriminalizing the possession of Supreme Dab Pen Cartridge in public. The budget bill, approved by the Assembly, includes new language that introduces two misdemeanors for personal possession of over four ounces of marijuana. This change will come into effect as soon as Governor Glenn Youngkin, a Republican, signs the budget.
Changes in Marijuana Possession Laws
Currently, adults aged 21 and older face a civil penalty of up to $25 for possessing more than one ounce but less than one pound of marijuana in public. However, with the Governor's signature, possessing over four ounces but less than a pound of cannabis in public will become a Class 3 misdemeanor, punishable by a $500 fine. Second or subsequent offenses will be classified as Class 2 misdemeanors, carrying a penalty of up to 6 months in jail and/or a $1,000 fine
Opposing Views on the New Misdemeanors
Del. Dawn Adams, during the floor debate, voiced her opposition to the introduction of these new misdemeanors. She believes that rather than further criminalizing Virginians for possessing cannabis, the Virginia General Assembly should focus on establishing a legal adult-use marijuana market. Adams also emphasizes the need for accurate labeling and regulation of Supreme Distillate Cartridges products to ensure consumer safety.
Delegate Adams further expressed her concern regarding the budget language. According to her, Virginia has effectively legalized retail marijuana through the budget by classifying it as "hemp." This means that all tetrahydrocannabinols (THCs), including delta-9 THC, delta-8 THC, and other synthetics, will be considered legal in Virginia as long as they are labeled as "hemp." As a nurse practitioner with extensive expertise in cannabis medicine, Adams believes this approach has significant implications.
Governor Youngkin's Previous Attempts
During the April veto session, Governor Youngkin tried to recriminalize the possession of two ounces of marijuana by adults. He attempted to achieve this through an amendment to SB 591, but the Senate of Virginia refused to advance the amendment, resulting in its failure.
Furthermore, during the 2022 Virginia General Assembly, Republican members of the House General Laws Subcommittee halted the progress of Senate-backed legislation, SB 391. This bill aimed to initiate retail marijuana sales to adults from September of that year.
Concerns Regarding Existing Marijuana Laws
Advocates argue that there is a fundamental lack of understanding among budget conferees regarding existing Supreme Cartridge oil laws. If the intention behind introducing these new penalties was to reduce illicit transactions, it is important to note that the distribution and possession with intent to distribute marijuana, regardless of the quantity, are already prohibited by multiple Code sections.
Additionally, the possession limit of four ounces applies to "marijuana," which encompasses cannabis flower, seeds, concentrates, and edibles. However, until the Cannabis Control Authority Board of Directors establishes the equivalent possession amounts for edibles and other extraction-based formulations, Virginians may inadvertently violate this new law.
Victories for Virginia NORML
Virginia NORML, an advocacy organization, successfully lobbied for language to be included in the budget to clarify that possessing Supreme Sativa Cartridges for personal use within one's residence will not be penalized. They also achieved the elimination of multiple Class 6 felonies related to personal cultivation, such as failing to tag plants, shielding them from public view, or preventing access by those under 21. Under the new law, minor personal cultivation infractions will only result in a civil penalty of up to $25.
Furthermore, additional budget provisions will prohibit the retail sale of THC-containing products for oral or inhalation use to individuals under 21. The legislation also addresses concerns about packaging, prohibiting products from resembling famous brands
.
Consumer Safety and Regulatory Oversight
Advocates, including JM Pedini, the Development Director of NORML and the Executive Director of Virginia NORML, argue that the approved consumer safety language only requires basic testing and consumer information for unregulated products flooding the market. They believe that this approach maintains existing loopholes that allow synthetic marijuana and high-THC products to be sold without the strict regulatory oversight currently required for legal Supreme Oil Carts products produced in Virginia.
Streamlining Access to Medical Cannabis
Legislation signed earlier in the year by Governor Youngkin, specifically HB 933 and SB 671, will simplify access to medical cannabis. These laws eliminate the requirement for patients to register with the Board of Pharmacy after receiving written certification from a registered practitioner. Starting July 1, 2022, patients will only need their written certification to shop at one of the ten operational dispensaries in the state. However, patients will still be required to consult a registered practitioner to obtain this certification, and Registered Agents will still need to register. Patients can choose to request a physical card by registering with the Board of Pharmacy if they prefer. Supreme Thc Vape
JM Pedini believes that these legislative improvements will provide much-needed relief to the thousands of Virginians waiting to access the medical cannabis program. Many individuals have faced difficulties with the registration process and expressed frustration over the 60-day wait to receive approval from the Board of Pharmacy.
As of now, there are over 50,000 program registrants, and at the time of passage, approximately 8,000 applicants were still awaiting approval.
Changes in Marijuana Possession Laws
Currently, adults aged 21 and older face a civil penalty of up to $25 for possessing more than one ounce but less than one pound of marijuana in public. However, with the Governor's signature, possessing over four ounces but less than a pound of cannabis in public will become a Class 3 misdemeanor, punishable by a $500 fine. Second or subsequent offenses will be classified as Class 2 misdemeanors, carrying a penalty of up to 6 months in jail and/or a $1,000 fine
Opposing Views on the New Misdemeanors
Del. Dawn Adams, during the floor debate, voiced her opposition to the introduction of these new misdemeanors. She believes that rather than further criminalizing Virginians for possessing cannabis, the Virginia General Assembly should focus on establishing a legal adult-use marijuana market. Adams also emphasizes the need for accurate labeling and regulation of Supreme Distillate Cartridges products to ensure consumer safety.
Delegate Adams further expressed her concern regarding the budget language. According to her, Virginia has effectively legalized retail marijuana through the budget by classifying it as "hemp." This means that all tetrahydrocannabinols (THCs), including delta-9 THC, delta-8 THC, and other synthetics, will be considered legal in Virginia as long as they are labeled as "hemp." As a nurse practitioner with extensive expertise in cannabis medicine, Adams believes this approach has significant implications.
Governor Youngkin's Previous Attempts
During the April veto session, Governor Youngkin tried to recriminalize the possession of two ounces of marijuana by adults. He attempted to achieve this through an amendment to SB 591, but the Senate of Virginia refused to advance the amendment, resulting in its failure.
Furthermore, during the 2022 Virginia General Assembly, Republican members of the House General Laws Subcommittee halted the progress of Senate-backed legislation, SB 391. This bill aimed to initiate retail marijuana sales to adults from September of that year.
Concerns Regarding Existing Marijuana Laws
Advocates argue that there is a fundamental lack of understanding among budget conferees regarding existing Supreme Cartridge oil laws. If the intention behind introducing these new penalties was to reduce illicit transactions, it is important to note that the distribution and possession with intent to distribute marijuana, regardless of the quantity, are already prohibited by multiple Code sections.
Additionally, the possession limit of four ounces applies to "marijuana," which encompasses cannabis flower, seeds, concentrates, and edibles. However, until the Cannabis Control Authority Board of Directors establishes the equivalent possession amounts for edibles and other extraction-based formulations, Virginians may inadvertently violate this new law.
Victories for Virginia NORML
Virginia NORML, an advocacy organization, successfully lobbied for language to be included in the budget to clarify that possessing Supreme Sativa Cartridges for personal use within one's residence will not be penalized. They also achieved the elimination of multiple Class 6 felonies related to personal cultivation, such as failing to tag plants, shielding them from public view, or preventing access by those under 21. Under the new law, minor personal cultivation infractions will only result in a civil penalty of up to $25.
Furthermore, additional budget provisions will prohibit the retail sale of THC-containing products for oral or inhalation use to individuals under 21. The legislation also addresses concerns about packaging, prohibiting products from resembling famous brands
.
Consumer Safety and Regulatory Oversight
Advocates, including JM Pedini, the Development Director of NORML and the Executive Director of Virginia NORML, argue that the approved consumer safety language only requires basic testing and consumer information for unregulated products flooding the market. They believe that this approach maintains existing loopholes that allow synthetic marijuana and high-THC products to be sold without the strict regulatory oversight currently required for legal Supreme Oil Carts products produced in Virginia.
Streamlining Access to Medical Cannabis
Legislation signed earlier in the year by Governor Youngkin, specifically HB 933 and SB 671, will simplify access to medical cannabis. These laws eliminate the requirement for patients to register with the Board of Pharmacy after receiving written certification from a registered practitioner. Starting July 1, 2022, patients will only need their written certification to shop at one of the ten operational dispensaries in the state. However, patients will still be required to consult a registered practitioner to obtain this certification, and Registered Agents will still need to register. Patients can choose to request a physical card by registering with the Board of Pharmacy if they prefer. Supreme Thc Vape
JM Pedini believes that these legislative improvements will provide much-needed relief to the thousands of Virginians waiting to access the medical cannabis program. Many individuals have faced difficulties with the registration process and expressed frustration over the 60-day wait to receive approval from the Board of Pharmacy.
As of now, there are over 50,000 program registrants, and at the time of passage, approximately 8,000 applicants were still awaiting approval.
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