Legalization of Cannabis in Virginia
People of Virginia are wishing no more when the Legalization of Cannabis has been approved way back in 2021. Virginia became the first state in the South and the 17th in the nation, to legalize cannabis for adults. Adults can now possess and share up to one ounce of cannabis and cultivate up to four cannabis plants at their primary residence. Who wouldn't love that?
Police can now no longer use the smell of cannabis as a reason for searching someone’s car for illegal goods. The legislation also provides protections for cannabis users in places like the workplace and colleges. Law enforcement organizations, parents' groups, and many Republican lawmakers opposed the new law. They suggested legalization will encourage kids to use marijuana and will increase car crashes, among other concerns. Legalization supporters say that it’s already easy for young adults to get marijuana and that there’s no clear link between marijuana legalization and traffic accidents.
Apart from that, on July 1,2020 possession of authorized medical cannabis products by those registered to participate in the state's program are provided explicit statutory legal protection. Virginia is also the 34th state to enact a comprehensive medical cannabis law. Registration applications for patients, parents/legal guardians, and physicians are available through the Board of Pharmacy. Cannabis extracts are produced and sold in Virginia only by specially licensed businesses called “pharmaceutical processors.” The Board of Pharmacy has issued approval to five pharmaceutical processors to produce and dispense these oils. The first sales of cannabis extracts began on October 14, 2020.
According to some parents with relatives who have epilepsy, they are thrilled at the news about the approval of medical marijuana since it is proven and tested to help epilepsy. They have seen the benefits from the internet or other country and they are excited for more people to benefit from it.
Here are some Virginia Marijuana Legalization FAQs:
What is legal?
✓ Possession by adults 21+ of up to one ounce in public
✓ Personal cultivation of up to 4 plants per household by adults 21+ at their primary residence
✓ Adult-sharing of up to one ounce in private without remuneration
✓ Continued participation in the medical cannabis program which allows purchase at Virginia dispensaries
What is NOT legal?
X Public consumption
X Possession or consumption by anyone under 21
X Possession on school grounds or school bus
X Consumption in a motor vehicle while being driven (passenger or driver)
X Open container in a vehicle
X Sharing or offering in public
X Selling or purchasing cannabis outside of the medical program
X Selling or purchasing cannabis seeds or cannabis products
X Gifting schemes (gift with purchase, public giveaway events, paid entry consumption events)
Personal cultivation guidelines
Tag each plant with owner’s name, driver’s license/state ID number, and for personal use
Plants must not be visible from a public way without the use of aircraft, binoculars, or other optical aids
Prevent access by those under 21
Cultivation is permitted indoors or outdoors, but may be restricted in rental housing
Cultivation is only permitted at the individual's primary residence
Transportation guidelines
Never drive while impaired
No driver or passenger may consume or possess an open container of cannabis while a vehicle is being operated
Transport cannabis in a completely sealed (preferably locked) container in the trunk of any passenger vehicle, or in the area behind the last upright seat of a passenger van, station wagon, hatchback, sport utility vehicle or any similar vehicle out of reach of the driver
Adult-sharing guidelines
Adults 21+ may share up to one ounce of cannabis in private, much like they could share a bottle of wine
Cannabis may not be offered to or shared with anyone in public
There may not be any exchange of goods or services (no gifting schemes)
