The Virginia House of Delegates and Virginia Senate both passed bills approving the legalization of marijuana as part of Friday's agenda.
The legislation was initially unveiled in January, and proposed legalization of sale and consumption of adult-use products by 2023.
The House passed the bill 55-52 and the Senate passed it 23-15. Both chambers will have to pass the same bill in the coming weeks, and the bill could fail if the chambers fail to reach an agreement.
According to a release from the House, its version of the bill (HB 2312) eliminates criminal penalties for simple possession of marijuana; creates the Virginia Cannabis Control Authority to regulate cultivation, manufacture, wholesale and retail sail of marijuana; and provides support and resources to communities disproportionately affected by drug enforcement.
The bill has staggered effective dates, and allows retail marijuana sales to begin on January 1, 2024. The full bill is available here.
This is a developing story.
