Virginia
Virginia Senate subcomittee advances marijuana legislation
ROANOKE, Va. (WDBJ) – A Virginia Senate subcommittee has advanced legislation that would establish a retail market for marijuana in Virginia.
The panel considered two measures during a meeting Thursday morning, advancing one that would authorize sales beginning in January 2025.
“We know that adult-possession cannabis has been legal in Virginia for two and a half years now, and it’s past time that adults 21 years and older can buy a safe, tested cannabis product regulated and taxed by the Commonwealth,” said Sen. Adam Ebbin (D-Alexandria).
The bill that Ebbin proposed would have started sales this year, giving pharmaceutical providers who currently supply medical marijuana the first shot at opening retail businesses.
A competing proposal from Sen. Aaron Rouse (D-Virginia Beach) would give prospective license holders equal access starting in 2025.
“This is about leveling the playing field,” Rouse told members of the subcommittee, “ensuring that when this market steps up, everybody has a fair shot.”
Groups such as The Family Foundation and the Virginia Catholic Conference oppose marijuana commercialization.
“A study out of Columbia in 2019 actually showed that when we commercialize marijuana, that the rates of addiction are 26% higher than those states that did not commercialize marijuana,” said Todd Gathje, President of Government Relations for The Family Foundation.
“If you look at Colorado, they have had exponential increases in crime,” said Tom Intorcio, Associate Director of the Virginia Catholic Conference.
The subcommittee combined the two bills, choosing the Rouse bill as the vehicle for advancing the legislation.
“Marijuana is legal. We’re not going back,” said Greg Habeeb, the former Salem delegate who represents the Virginia Cannabis Association. “The question is very, very simple. Should we have illegal sales of untested, unregulated products sold by unlicensed drug dealers to children and anybody they want to, or should we regulate those sales, tax them, license the sellers?”
The Senate bill will see more committees, more changes, and more votes before it reaches the full Senate.
Another measure is moving forward in the House of Delegates.
Copyright 2024 WDBJ. All rights reserved.
There’s little change in the latest High School on SI Virginia girls basketball Top 25 poll as all 25 squads return from last week.
Undefeated Princess Anne is again No. 1 followed by The Saint James Performance Academy, Bishop Ireton, Catholic-Virginia Beach and Menchville. Shining Stars Sports Academy, Manchester, Potomac School, Saint Anne’s-Belfield School and Osbourn Park complete the Top 10.
Five teams – Langley, Manor, Thomas Dale, Oakton and Centreville – each moved up one spot.
Here’s this week’s High School on SI Virginia girls basketball Top 25:
Previous rank: No. 1
Record: 17-0
The Cavaliers defeated No. 16 Salem-Virginia Beach, 70-45, and Bayside, 86-13.
Previous rank: No. 2
Record: 12-3
The Strivers extended their winning streak to 10 with a 63-37 decision over Kingdom Collegiate Academy (Tex.).
Previous rank: No. 3
Record: 14-5
The Cardinals defeated No. 11 Saint Paul VI Catholic, 57-53 after a loss to Elizabeth Seton (Md.)
Previous rank: No. 4
Record: 12-8
The Crusaders defeated Norfolk Academy and Nansemond-Suffolk Academy by a combined 148 points.
Previous rank: No. 5
Record: 11-1
The Monarchs are scheduled to play Woodside Tuesday.
Previous rank: No. 6
Record: 12-4
The Panthers defeated Newman (Mass.) and Saint Frances Academy (Md.) at The More Than A Highlight Showcase in New York.
Previous rank: No. 7
Record: 14-1
The Lancers ran their winning streak to 13 with a 93-22 victory over Huguenot.
Previous rank: No. 8
Record: 12-6
The Panthers rebounded from a loss to District of Columbia No. 2 Sidwell Friends School with wins over Georgetown Day School (D.C.) and Flint Hill School (Va.).
Previous rank: No. 9
Record: 13-3
The Saints defeated Trinity Episcopal School, 80-33.
Previous rank: No. 10
Record: 12-6
The Yellowjackets defeated Unity Reed.
Previous rank: No. 11
Record: 16-5
The Panthers dropped an overtime decision to No. 3 Bishop Ireton.
Previous rank: No. 12
Record: 14-5
The Patriots dropped decisions to Monsignor Scanlan (N.Y.) and Gill Saint Bernard’s School (N.J.).
Previous rank: No. 13
Record: 15-1
The Stallions defeated Lake Braddock and Carter G. Woodson.
Previous rank: No. 16
Record: 15-1
The Eagles have won eight straight by double-digits.
Previous rank: No. 15
Record: 12-3
The Wolverines defeated West Springfield and James W. Robinson.
Previous rank: No. 16
Record: 15-3
The Sundevils rebounded from a loss to No. 1 Princess Anne with a 78-7 win over Kempsville.
Previous rank: No. 17
Record: 13-4
The Knights defeated Landstown (75-47) and First Colonial (73-21).
Previous rank: No. 19
Record: 16-1
The Saxons defeated McLean, 55-23.
Previous rank: No. 20
Record: 12-1
The Mustangs defeated Churchland.
Previous rank: No. 21
Record: 14-0
The Knights defeated Petersburg (73-30) and Hopewell (72-46).
Previous rank: No. 22
Record: 15-4
The Cougars defeated Westfield and James Madison.
Previous rank: No. 23
Record: 13-4
The Wildcats defeated James Madison and then-No. 18 Chantilly.
Previous rank: No. 23
Record: 17-1
The Spartans defeated Lord Botetourt (42-31) and Cave Spring (56-19).
Previous rank: No. 24
Record: 14-2
The Bulldogs defeated Indian River and Oscar Smith by an average margin of 65 points.
Previous rank: No. 25
Record: 10-7
The Ambassadors defeated Norfolk Collegiate Academy, 77-32.
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