Posted on 01/04/2020 11:08:12 AM PST by Perseverando
Gov. Ralph Northam said Friday that he would throw his weight behind the decriminalization of marijuana in Virginia this year but said he wants to study full legalization before going further.
Northam announced legislation Friday that would make possession of small amounts of marijuana a civil offense carrying a $50 penalty, instead of a criminal misdemeanor.
The proposal is part of a broader criminal justice reform agenda that includes changes to the states parole system, a higher threshold for theft to be considered a felony, and an increase to the age at which a young offender can be tried as an adult from 14 to 16.
Seeking to further a key 2019 win by his administration, Northam proposes to permanently eliminate the automatic suspension of drivers licenses for unpaid fines, fees and court costs. Lawmakers had backed the reinstatement of licenses for 627,000 Virginians last year; Northam is proposing to end the practice permanently.
All Virginians deserve access to a fair and equitable criminal justice system, Northam said Friday during an event at OAR Richmond, a nonprofit that helps rehabilitate people formerly incarcerated. This is a bold step towards a more just and inclusive commonwealth.
Easing the legal consequences for marijuana possession has for years been a goal of Democrats, who have been blocked by some Republicans in a formerly GOP-controlled legislature.
Northam and other Democrats have argued that enforcement is expensive as possession of the drug becomes widespread. They also say it disproportionately jails African Americans.
The measure might see some GOP support. Sen. Siobhan Dunnavant, R-Henrico, supports decriminalization and has expressed support for the use of medical cannabis.
Northam is proposing to do away with criminal
(Excerpt) Read more at richmond.com ...
It's not a radical move nor an untested one.
Typical decriminalization. No consequences for your actions. Commit crimes? We’ll take your photo, swab your cheek, and you just sign this paper saying you’ll eventually show back up to get a slap on the wrist.
That’s our justice system in California. Where people who steal thousands of dollars from hardware stores openly tell police when caught that this is their job. Oh, and of course, they’re already out of jail before the arresting officer has even finished their full report.
Another recent example had a felon who had a handgun on him and was threatening to harm himself plus had felony warrants from a neighboring jurisdiction walked out of jail the next day, got a shotgun and then threatened officers and was fatally shot. He would still be alive today had at a minimum that he was held for the other jurisdiction to come get him for his warrants. Not to mention the parole violation, the probation violation, the already pending felon committing crimes while on parole charges, etc.
These are policies being put into place by the state’s legislative and executive branches across the nation. Why arrest someone when you know they’re just going to get right out again?
The courts need to bring back consequences for minor crimes to prevent this cycle from continuing.
The voters of Virginia get their say every election day.
The U.S. Government has no Constitutional authority over the matters in question.
East California
> The criminal justice system failed this woman and her children. No responsibility for countless crimes and then all of a sudden it goes and drops a load on her. Not saying she didn’t deserve it... <
Thats a reasonable statement. Suppose that the most common penalty for not filing your income taxes was usually a $5 fine, and nothing more. Lots and lots of folks would drift into that sort of behavior. And theyd keep on doing it until one day * surprise * its off to federal prison.
Giuliani was right. Youve got to get tough on the small crimes if you want to reduce the big crimes.
Or the penalty for hiring illegal aliens was you just had to hold a job fair for more illegals... It is at every level that our lax response has impacted our society. We listen to the sob stories, and rather than fixing that one issue, we make blanket changes that leads to more crimes, more victims, and ultimately, a weaker society. (But hey, once they're incarcerated for decades, they'll be given the right to vote in their prisons... Isn't that also the new plan?)
Bingo! It’s all on HER, and nobody else!!
Just what is there to study?
It was legal till the 1930's when it was used as a way to enslave brown and black people. Before that in the 1500's it was actually illegal to NOT grow it! Every farm had to dedicate a percentage of land for growing cannabis.
The use, sale, and possession of cannabis over 0.3% THC in the United States, despite state laws, is illegal under federal law.[5] As a Schedule I drug under the federal Controlled Substances Act of 1970, cannabis over 0.3% THC (legal term marijuana) is considered to have “no accepted medical use” and have a high potential for abuse and physical or psychological dependence.[6] Cannabis use is illegal for any reason, with the exception of FDA-approved research programs.[7] However, individual states have enacted legislation permitting exemptions for various uses, mainly for medical and industrial use but also including recreational use
Great lets just hand over the roadways to all the stoned people.....the rest of us will just stay home.
NOTE to ALL GOP - let Virginia be a constant reminder of why you need to get out and vote and ALWAYS vote GOP even if you hate them. No Democrat, no matter how normal or moderate should ever be voted for. Because the right stayed home, we are in the biggest fight of our lives now
Correct!
The use, sale, and possession of cannabis over 0.3% THC in the United States, despite state laws, is illegal under federal law.
A federal law with no Constitutional basis.
There is no Republican party in Virginia. There are no Republican candidates in Virginia. The Democrats run unopposed and win with less than 50% of the cast vote.
We ‘ll see how much weight he has. He’s throwing crap on the wall to see what sticks. Hoping to bring in any voters he can.
How do his changes help ALL virginians? I really would an actual answer to that one.
i personally think this guy has a marytyr complex.
Coonpot Northam.
This guy is so compromised and blackmailable. H! And that flying monkey mcauliffe are probably totally in charge of this s show
Creating an nation for drug addicts will make government control much easier. Do what we tell you or no more “candy”.
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