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Marijuana Decriminalization Bill Debated in General Assembly

It's a marijuana decriminalization bill - NOT a marijuana legalization bill - that a Northern Virginia lawmaker is fighting for during this General Assembly session. Senator Adam Ebbin contends that there's a significant difference, and the legislation is necessary in order to stop making criminals out of otherwise law-abiding citizens.

Ebbin says many states have already recognized that criminalization of "a plant" in America has failed, and it's time Virginia recognizes that as well.

“It financially burdens our commonwealth to the tune of $67 million a year in law enforcement costs.”

He says nonviolent residents who are caught with marijuana are being categorized with violent malicious offenses, which is why he introduced SB 686.

“All it does is it lessens the penalty for possession of marijuana from a criminal offense to a civil penalty of $100.”

While opponents contend laws like this would promote the use of a "gateway" drug, Ebbin says studies have debunked that theory. He adds that this in no way promotes marijuana use by young people-and it, like cigarette and alcohol use, are adult activities.

Tommie McNeil is a State Capitol reporter who has been covering Virginia and Virginia politics for more than a decade. He originally hails from Maryland, and also doubles as the evening anchor for 1140 WRVA in Richmond.