DontStopBelievn
Member
As we all know, a legalization and retail bill was passed by the General Assembly (GA). However, it has not been signed into law by the Governor. ACLU and Democrat members of the House and Senate have met with Northam to accelerate aspects of the bill to become law by July 1st, 2021. Namely, Chapter 4 that deals with legalization of possession and personal cultivation.
Currently, the Governor is looking at various amendments to the bill and to send it back to the GA. This must be done by April 7th. A notable change to the GA's attitude is within the House. The Senate wanted possession (but not personal cultivation) to be passed into law on July 1st, whereas the House wanted al of that delayed until 2024. Leaders of both the Senate and House have said they are on board with making both possession and personal cultivation legal on July 1st of this year. This is largely dependent on Gov. Northam and his amendments to their bill, but all parties are (at least seemingly) in agreement that possession and personal cultivation should be legalized July 1st, 2021.
Retail may be held in limbo and dependent on reenactment of the bill in 2022.
Here is an article about recent developments: https://www.wvtf.org/post/northam-s...ijuana-legalization-measure-underway#stream/0
I don't want anyone to get their hopes up, but it does look like possession and growing may become legal this summer. The big day to watch is April 7th, which would be when the GA would vote to approve amendments to the bill.
Notably missing from the bill is employment protection. Currently, employment protections are only extended to those who have medical cannabis registration with the state. This means that employers could still refuse to hire and fire employees that test positive for marijuana without having to prove or show that employee or hiring candidate was currently under the influence.
There are still improvements that are needed to be added to the bill or via additional legislation, but this is huge step forward.
Currently, the Governor is looking at various amendments to the bill and to send it back to the GA. This must be done by April 7th. A notable change to the GA's attitude is within the House. The Senate wanted possession (but not personal cultivation) to be passed into law on July 1st, whereas the House wanted al of that delayed until 2024. Leaders of both the Senate and House have said they are on board with making both possession and personal cultivation legal on July 1st of this year. This is largely dependent on Gov. Northam and his amendments to their bill, but all parties are (at least seemingly) in agreement that possession and personal cultivation should be legalized July 1st, 2021.
Retail may be held in limbo and dependent on reenactment of the bill in 2022.
Here is an article about recent developments: https://www.wvtf.org/post/northam-s...ijuana-legalization-measure-underway#stream/0
I don't want anyone to get their hopes up, but it does look like possession and growing may become legal this summer. The big day to watch is April 7th, which would be when the GA would vote to approve amendments to the bill.
Notably missing from the bill is employment protection. Currently, employment protections are only extended to those who have medical cannabis registration with the state. This means that employers could still refuse to hire and fire employees that test positive for marijuana without having to prove or show that employee or hiring candidate was currently under the influence.
There are still improvements that are needed to be added to the bill or via additional legislation, but this is huge step forward.
