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Marijuana Bills: More Leniency and Expanded Use for Treating Epilepsy

Virginia’s governor is expected to sign a handful of marijuana related bills that survived this year’s General Assembly. Mallory Noe-Payne has a look at what might change.

Currently in Virginia any drug possession charge automatically triggers a driver’s license suspension. Jenn Michelle Pedini, executive director of the advocacy group Virginia NORML, says soon judges will get more discretion.

“To offer additional community service hours in lieu of a six month license suspension for adults who are first time offenders caught in possession of marijuana not involving a motor vehicle.”

In a separate measure the Governor is also expected to sign into law, approved pharmacies will be allowed to produce and sell oils and sprays made from marijuana. Those products can’t get someone high, but they can be used to treat severe epilepsy.

“This is the beginning of the regulated medical marijuana program in Virginia.”

Measures to decriminalize marijuana use more broadly failed to make any headway in Virginia’s republican controlled legislature. 

Mallory Noe-Payne is a Radio IQ reporter based in Richmond.
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