Lawmakers in Virginia passed a bill that would decriminalize the possession of marijuana in the commonwealth.
The legislation makes possession of less than an ounce of cannabis a civil infraction, punishable by a $25 fine on the first offense. In addition, the bill creates a means by which citizens charged with possession can have their records expunged if their case is dismissed in court.
“This means close to 30,000 people a year will no longer be labeled as criminals and no longer will suffer the negative repercussions of a criminal conviction,” state Sen. Adam Ebbin said Sunday, according to the Virginia Mercury.
The current penalty for possession of marijuana in Virginia is up to 30 days in jail, in addition to a $500 fine.
Lawmakers also approved a bill commissioning a study on the outright legalization of marijuana in the state. Several states have either decriminalized or legalized marijuana possession or consumption in recent years.
The decriminalization bill now heads to Gov. Ralph Northam and would go into effect on July 1 if signed.
