Virginia Senate Committee Kills Two Marijuana Decriminalization Bills
RICHMOND, VA Two proposals to decriminalize marijuana possession in Virginia have been sent to further study, effectively killing thebills for the 2017 legislative session.
On Monday, theSenate Committee on Courts of Justice voted 15-0 against advancing Senate Bills 908 and 1269, assigning both bills the ominous designation of passed by indefinitely.
Both proposals would have reduced the penalty for possessing marijuana to a civil violation, punishable by only a finewithoutarrest, jail time, or criminal record.
Instead, theVirginia State Crime Commission will study the effects of marijuana decriminalization.
Committee Chairman Mark Obenshain (R-Rockingham) left the door open for considering statewide decriminalization in a future legislative session, but noted that no decriminalization bill would advance until the Crime Commission has completed its study.
Senate Bill 1269, introduced by Sen.Adam Ebbin (D-Alexandria), would haveset fines for marijuana possession at $100 for a first offense, $250 for a second offense, or $500 for a third or subsequent offense.Senate Bill 908, introduced by Sen. Louise Lucas(D-Portsmouth), would have imposed fines of $250to $1000 for possessing up to half an ounce of marijuana.
Both bills were opposed by the Virginia State Police and the Virginia Association of Commonwealths Attorneys.
Under current Virginia law, possession of marijuana is considered a Class 1 misdemeanor. First time offenders face a maximum fine of $500 and up to 30 days in jail. Subsequent offenses can bring fines up to $2500 and jail time of up to one year.
According to the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML), marijuana possession arrests have increased 76 percent from 2003 through 2014, with ...
