This Bill is Not Marijuana Legalization

Press Release for Marijuana Justice

“Marijuana Justice is deeply disturbed that racial justice did not prevail as a priority today. Instead Virginia legislators only voted to create the infrastructure for profit, not equity in “legalization”. The urgency to address racial disparities by legalizing simple possession is on hold in Virginia for another year, yet again. 

Since “decriminalizing” marjuana in July 2020, over half of the 4,505 people charged with possession were Black, a rate four times higher than white Virginians. Remaining complicit on the harms and minimizing the impacts of civil penalties, are direct contradictions of the administration’s stated priority to address equity through legalization. Consequences of the prohibition of marijuana like securing steady employment, housing and access to critical social services after conviction will still continue to punish Virginians for actions that will soon be legal. By delaying the repeal of simple possession until 2024, legislators are risking the livelihoods and futures of an estimated 36,000 Virginians- that we can count on as being disproportionately Black.

Virginians deserve legalization that centers racial equity by ending the prohibition of simple possession which leads to interactions with racist law enforcement. We have seen this is possible in other states like New Jersey, who just this past week, legalized simple possession of marijuana up to 6 ounces without a commercial market in place. Their bill enacts no penalties on youth possessing marijuana; like misdemeanors and economically-straining fines and mandated substance misuse and treatment programs. While Virginia’s latest bill does reduce penalties on youth to civil infractions, advocates continue to seek a shift to providing support and services first; instead of the label of “delinquent”, when it comes to marijuana possession for our youth in the future.

The marijuana “legalization” bill sent to the Governor’s desk allows the disparate harms of the War on Drugs on Black, Latinx and Indigenious communities to continue through at least 2024. Many legislators have spoken against the equity gaps in the bill and some even took a stand to sit out the vote. Marijuana Justice hopes that Governor Northam will amend the conference bill and enact the legalization of simple possession of marijuana with no new crimes by July 1, 2021.”