Virginia governor Northam signs bill decriminalizing marijuana possession

Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam (D) signed a bill Thursday making it the 27th state to decriminalize marijuana possession.

The new law takes effect July 1 and reduces penalties for offenses that involve personal possession of up to one ounce of marijuana to a civil violation.

It marks one of many progressive initiatives the state government has been able to accomplish since Democrats took over the statehouse and the governor’s office in 2019.

On Thursday, Northam signed Senate Bill 2 and House Bill 972, which create a civil penalty of no more than $25 for possession of up to an ounce of marijuana. A person hit with the penalty would not be arrested and it would not create a criminal record. The violations will be in the form of a summons, much like a motor vehicle law violations, with no court costs.

As of now, a first-offense marijuana violation in the state is classified as a criminal misdemeanor punishable by up to $500 in fines, 30 days in jail and a criminal record.

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