Legislation passed this spring decriminalizing marijuana possession offenses and sealing the records of past convictions from public view takes effect on Wednesday, July 1. ″[National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws, NORML] is proud to have worked alongside Senator Ebbin and Delegate Herring, both longtime champions of evidence-based cannabis policy, to bring about these […]
marijuana decriminalization
Bill to decriminalize marijuana just passed N.J. Assembly. Instead of arrest, a $50 fine.
Lawmakers took a major step in halting arrests for weed Thursday, as they voted on a bill that would decriminalize possession of up to two ounces. The state Assembly voted 63-10 with five members abstaining to pass the measure (A1897), one of two decriminalization bills currently proposed in the state Legislature. It seeks to replace […]
Kansas City would stop penalizing marijuana possession under mayor’s new proposal
Kansas City could strike possession of marijuana from its municipal code, eliminating even fines for having the drug under an ordinance Mayor Quinton Lucas was expected to introduce Thursday. In a press release, Lucas announced he would introduce the ordinance with all four Black members of the City Council: Brandon Ellington, Melissa Robinson, Lee Barnes […]
Having a pound of marijuana wouldn’t get you arrested in New Jersey under a new bill
Almost all arrests for possession of marijuana would be eliminated in New Jersey if a new bill is adopted by the state legislature. The bill would not legalize marijuana — that decision is being left to the voters on Nov. 3. But the new legislation seeks to reduce cannabis users’ encounters with police. “New Jersey is […]
Virginia Governor decriminalizes marijuana possession
Governor Ralph Northam has signed Senate Bill 2 and House Bill 972, decriminalizing marijuana possession, according to a news release from the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws. The new law takes effect July 1, 2020 and reduces penalties for offenses involving personal possession of up to one ounce of marijuana to a […]
Simple possession of marijuana decriminalized in Virginia, prior conviction records now sealed
WASHINGTON — Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam signed multiple criminal justice reform bills into law Sunday, including measures to reform parole and decriminalize simple possession of marijuana. The reform package also includes an amendment that would seal prior conviction records and prohibits employers from inquiring about them, as well as permanently eliminating drivers license suspensions solely […]
Virginia lawmakers vote to decriminalize marijuana, set $25 civil penalty for possession
Possession of small amounts of marijuana will no longer be punishable by jail time in Virginia under decriminalization legislation lawmakers sent to Gov. Ralph Northam on Sunday. “This means close to 30,000 people a year will no longer be labeled as criminals and no longer will suffer the negative repercussions of a criminal conviction,” said […]
New petitions seek to decriminalize marijuana, legalize recreational use in Oklahoma
Two initiative petitions filed Wednesday seek to legalize recreational marijuana and decriminalize the drug in Oklahoma. The petitions also seek to enshrine in Oklahoma’s constitution many of the medical marijuana protections Oklahoma voters approved when they passed State Question 788 in 2018. The petitions, filed by eight Oklahomans who work in Oklahoma’s medical marijuana industry, […]
After Years Of Trying, Marijuana Decriminalization Moves Forward In Virginia
Lower penalties for marijuana possession are on the horizon in Virginia. A bill passed on Monday by the House of Delegates would impose a civil fine of $25 for the possession of less than a half-ounce marijuana, dropping the penalty from the current $500 fine and 30-day jail stay. The civil penalty would also stay off of […]
Virginia House of Delegates votes to decriminalize marijuana
In a sweeping bipartisan vote in the House of Delegates, members voted to decriminalize marijuana possession on Monday 64-34. House Bill 972, introduced by Charniele Herring, D-Alexandria, passed its second major hurdle of the 2020 session on Monday. Nine of the 44 Republicans in the House voted to support the bill that would knock simple […]
