Marijuana; decriminalization of simple possession, civil penalty. (SB111)
Introduced By
Sen. Adam Ebbin (D-Alexandria) with support from co-patron Del. Kaye Kory (D-Falls Church)
Progress
✓ |
Introduced |
✗ |
Passed Committee |
☐ |
Passed House |
☐ |
Passed Senate |
☐ |
Signed by Governor |
☐ |
Became Law |
Description
Marijuana; decriminalization of simple marijuana possession. Decriminalizes simple marijuana possession and provides a civil penalty of no more than $50 for a first violation, $100 for a second violation, and $250 for a third or subsequent violation. Current law imposes a maximum fine of $500 and a maximum 30-day jail sentence for a first offense, and subsequent offenses are a Class 1 misdemeanor. The bill provides that the suspended sentence/substance abuse screening provisions and driver's license suspension provisions apply only to criminal violations or to civil violations by a juvenile. The bill provides that a court may suspend a driver's license for a civil violation committed by an adult. A civil violation will be treated as a conviction for prohibitions on the purchase or transport of a handgun and disqualification for a concealed handgun permit. Read the Bill »
Outcome
History
| Date | Action |
|---|---|
| 12/15/2017 | Prefiled and ordered printed; offered 01/10/18 18101142D |
| 12/15/2017 | Referred to Committee for Courts of Justice |
| 01/29/2018 | Committee substitute printed to LIS only 18106267D-S1 |
| 01/29/2018 | Failed to report (defeated) in Courts of Justice (6-Y 9-N) (see vote tally) |
Comments
The ACLU of Virginia supports decriminalizing the possession of marijuana as a first step toward legalization of recreational use. We strongly support this bill.
I support this bill. It is time to decriminalize marijuana possession and stop filling our jails and prisons up because of simple marijuana possession.
Virginia is the least free state because of the Republican Party. Virginia is the only state where radar detectors are illegal. A total of 38 states have some type of judicial elections where people elect judges but not in Virginia they are appointed by the Republican Party for life. However, Open carry of a handgun without a permit is legal in Virginia at age 18. Decriminalizing small amounts of marijuana was not going to pass due to the Republican Party and campaign contributions from Trial Lawyers Association and Alcohol Producers and Distributors--look it up for yourself.