Virginia decriminalizes cannabis. Governor Ralph Northam has approved a bill which decriminalizes cannabis in Virginia. As a result of the legislation this past weekend, possessing up to one ounce of cannabis is now punishable by a $25 fine after previously being a criminal charge with possible jail time.

As we decriminalize simple possession of marijuana and seal the records of prior convictions, I am proposing a study to assess the impact of fully legalizing marijuana in the Commonwealth.

— Ralph Northam (@GovernorVA) April 12, 2020

Decriminalization of cannabis comes after measures to legalize were rejected in February of this year. The Senate approved a study set to investigate the measures Virginia needs to take before legalizing cannabis by July 1, 2022.

Mark Herring, Virginia Attorney General, believes these changes will make the Old Dominion “a more fair, just, and equal place”.