Virginia Advances Bill To Help Prior Cannabis Offenders, Now It's Up To Gov. Youngkin

Virginia lawmakers have advanced a measure this week, aimed at helping individuals with prior cannabis convictions.

SB 696 from Sen. Angelia Williams Graves (D) was approved by the members of the House of Delegates in a 52–43 vote on Monday. The measure has already advanced through the state Senate last month. The chamber's members green-lighted House amendments to the measure on Tuesday.

This legislation ensures those with past cannabis offenses will receive resentencing hearings and potentially have their penalties reduced.

"Upon a hearing for modification of a sentence pursuant to subsection D, the court shall consider that marijuana has been legalized, and may reduce, including a reduction to time served, vacate, or otherwise modify the person’s sentence, including removing such person from community supervision, unless the Commonwealth demonstrates it would not be compatible with the public interest to do so," the bill stipulates.

Other Cannabis Bills On Gov. Youngkin’s Desk

Meanwhile, Virginia lawmakers have recently sent other marijuana measures to Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R) for review, including SB 391 from Sen. Stella Pekarsky (D) which would make it legal for public-sector employees to use medical cannabis without fear of losing their jobs except law enforcement officers as competing bills that will set up marijuana sales statewide.

Both HB 698 from Del. Paul Krizek (D) and SB 448 from Sen. Aaron R. Rouse (D) were recently passed with only one Republican voting in favor of final passage in both chambers.

While Gov. Youngkin does not seem particularly interested in the matter, Rouse told Marijuana Moment in an interview he is "proud of the broad coalition that we had to get this bill crafted."

"Once we've done our job," the senator added, "it's up to the governor to do his."

The two lawmakers behind competing bills that will set up marijuana sales in Virginia previously came to an agreement that all retailers could be allowed to get into the cannabis business by March 1, 2025. However, the latest version of SB 448 has pushed the sales launch date to no earlier than May 1, 2025.

The Benzinga Cannabis Capital Conference is returning to Florida, in a new venue in Hollywood, on April 16 and 17, 2024. The two-day event at The Diplomat Beach Resort will be a chance for entrepreneurs, both large and small, to network, learn and grow. Renowned for its trendsetting abilities and influence on the future of cannabis, mark your calendars – this conference is the go-to event of the year for the cannabis world.

Get your tickets now on bzcannabis.com – Prices will increase very soon!