Virginia Lawmakers Approve Another Round Of Marijuana Reforms While Broader Legalization Is Studied

Marijuana reform is speeding through the Virginia legislature during a summer special session, with another round of legislation advancing last week.

On Friday, the House of Delegates approved a bill to further reduce cannabis penalties by making possession in a motor vehicle a secondary offense instead of a primary one. The measure would also prevent law enforcement from conducting searches or seizing property based on the odor of marijuana alone.

Making possession a secondary offense means that a summons couldn’t be issued unless a person is also charged with a separate, second violation.