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.
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A skydiver crashed into the Lane Stadium scoreboard before Virginia Tech’s spring football game Saturday.
Virginia Tech officials said on X that the skydiver “was safely secured and is currently stable” following rescue efforts. The incident caused a delay in the start of the spring game.
“Thankful for game days with Hokie Nation and for the Blacksburg and Virginia Tech first responders whose quick actions safely returned today’s parachuter to the ground without injury,” the university said.
The name of the skydiver wasn’t released.
“Our primary focus remains on their well-being,” Virginia Tech officials said in a statement. “We extend our sincere appreciation to the first responders, event staff, and medical personnel for their swift, coordinated and professional response.”
Video footage showed the skydiver’s parachute landing between the “C” and the “H” on the Virginia Tech lettering on top of the scoreboard before first responders rescued him.
CBS News has reached out to the Blacksburg Fire Department for details on the incident.
A much cleaner performance carried Clemson baseball on Friday, as it answered the previous night’s loss with a 5-1 win over No. 9 Virginia.
Michael Sharman set the tone from the start. He kept Virginia off balance all night, working eight innings while giving up just a single run. There weren’t many free passes, and he consistently pitched ahead, which allowed him to stay in control deep into the game. Hayden Simmerson wrapped things up in the ninth without any trouble.
At the plate, Nate Savoie was the difference. He delivered two home runs, including a go-ahead shot later in the game that put Clemson in front for good. His first long ball gave the Tigers an early edge, and he finished with three RBIs on the night.
Virginia managed to pull even midway through, but Clemson quickly responded. The offense strung together quality at-bats, with Bryce Clavon driving in a run and Luke Gaffney continuing his strong weekend with multiple hits. The Tigers created more separation late, adding another run after working a bases-loaded situation.
Clemson moves to 25-15 overall and 6-11 in conference play with the win. The series now comes down to Saturday’s matchup in Charlottesville.
Contact us @Clemson_Wire on X, and like our page on Facebook for ongoing coverage of Clemson Tigers news and notes, plus opinions.
VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — A car crashed into the patio at Murphy’s Irish Pub on the Oceanfront on Friday night.
Virginia Beach medics arrived at the scene around 7:54 p.m. at Murphy’s Irish Pub and found several victims, according to police. All were taken to the hospital with injuries ranging from non-life-threatening to very severe.
Medics are still on the scene, according to News 3’s team onsite.
This is an active scene and an ongoing investigation; News 3’s team will continue providing updates.
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