(GNB- Virginia): On Saturday, Virginia Lawmakers approved a compromise legislation bill to legalize marijuana for adult-use.
The Virginia House approved the measure in a 48-43 vote, and the Senate approved it in a 20-19 vote.
None of Republican voted for the bill in House and Senate.
With this approval, Virginia becomes the 16th U.S. state to pass an adult-use marijuana legalization law, joining 15 other states and the District of Columbia.
Under the compromise legislation, marijuana possession would not become legal until January 2024, when regulated sales are scheduled to start. The state would start setting up a marijuana regulatory agency this July.
Under the legislation, possession of up to an ounce (28.3 grams) of marijuana will become legal beginning Jan. 1, 2024, at the same time sales will begin and regulations will go into effect to control the marijuana marketplace in Virginia.
The legislation has been sent to Democratic Gov. Ralph Northam, who supports legalization.
The bill was a top priority for Democrats, who framed legalization as a necessary step to end the disparate treatment of people of color under current marijuana laws. But talks between Democrats in the House and Senate grew tense in recent days, and a compromise version of the massive bill did not emerge publicly until late Saturday afternoon.
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