A Northern Virginia Democrat says the state should explore offering marijuana in liquor stores to help boost government coffers but Republicans are scoffing at the thought of it. Del. David Englin, D-Alexandria, wants a panel to probe the potential revenue impact of allowing Virginia’s state-owned alcohol stores to sell pot, insisting it could help close budget gaps without cutting employees or services.
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“I’m just trying to steer the conversation into a more informed rational direction so we can have a rational discussion based on science and economics rather than a politically charged ideological conversation,” Englin said of his legislation.
But Republicans, who came out last week with a package of bills to strengthen laws to lock up drug offenders, dismissed the study as unnecessary and it’s unlikely to gain traction in the GOP-controlled House of Delegates.
“Do you want to do marijuana? Do you want to do prostitution? Do you want to do gambling?” Republican House Speaker Bill Howell asked. “There are lots of ways to raise revenue but it doesn’t need to be done.”
Englin is also pushing a separate resolution that asks Gov. Bob McDonnell to petition federal regulators to formally allow Virginia doctors to prescribe marijuana for patients. Medicinal marijuana has been legal in Virginia for cancer and glaucoma patients since the late-1970s, however, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration still classifies cannabis in such a way that it can’t be legally grown or sold. Recently, federal law enforcement agencies have been cracking down in some states like California where medicinal marijuana is legal.
Governors of Rhode Island and Washington have already joined the cause. Some states, like California, allow medicinal marijuana to be grown as well as prescribed for a wide range of ailments.
“Prohibition only benefits criminals,” Englin said. “Could we do it in a safe and regulated way where instead of lining the pockets of criminals we’re bringing in money to fund core services like education and public safety?”
“Both of the pieces of legislation face a steep uphill climb. What I’m trying to do is get the issue out there and get people talking about them.”
