Although it was first announced that Virginia would legalize marijuana beginning January 1. 2024, it has been acknowledged that this would be a drawn-out process, furthering racial discrepancies by associating legalization with when commercial businesses are set to open.

Democratic executives in the Virginia House of Delegates are now pushing for marijuana legalization on July 1.

Along with trying to make marijuana legal sooner, they are defending the legalization of “personal cultivation”.

Governor Ralph Northam expands, “I personally don’t think we should be arresting or penalizing somebody for something we’re getting ready to legalize… I plan to place several amendments in front of the legislature and hopefully we’ll be able to move those forward.”