Last week Sen. Thomas K. Norment Jr. from Virginia, ordered the state criminal justice agency to research Virginia’s cannabis laws and give their opinion on any changes that seem reasonable. Virginia’s Senator, Norment Jr., R-James City, made headlines last month after stating his willingness to soften the state’s marijuana possession laws. On November 30th the Senator followed up by sending a written request to the chairman of the Virginia State Crime Commission, Del. Robert Bell, R-Albemarle, asking the agency research several issues surrounding marijuana law enforcement. Norment asked the agency to research the following areas in particular:
• The “repercussions experienced by any state” that has changed law from criminal to civil penalties for small amounts of pot.
• The most current evidence on cannabis and its effects, “particularly any evidence indicating a relationship between marijuana usage and that of opioids or illegal stimulants (methamphetamine and cocaine) as a possible ‘gateway’ drug.”
• The “status and strength” of the laws in Virginia pertaining to driving under the influence of pot; to include looking at the type of “available technology” that is available to convict individuals of marijuana offenses in court.
• Any possible problems or conflicts of interest Virginia State could encounter if their drug laws are contrasting with federal law. Federal law continues to classify marijuana as illegal, even in states that have made it legal. Taking into consideration that a new U.S. attorney general is taking office beginning next year.
• Verify if states that have legalized marijuana possession “still criminalize it for second or third offenses.”
Norment’s orders, which asks Bell for his “input, suggestions and concerns,” followed the Senator’s recent comments showing a willingness to take action on the issue.
“I think it’s absolutely crazy that we continue to lock people up for possession of a modest amount of marijuana,” Norment said to the Norfolk City Council on Nov. 1, according to The Virginian-Pilot. “We are tough on crime. It’s a question of what crimes we want to be tough on.”
Although Norment voted against a decriminalization bill at the General Assembly, he stated, “When I speak to millennials, they see things very differently than I do.”
Prior to the study taking place, the 13-member State Crime Commission must vote to approve it. The commission’s board includes Norment, Bell, seven other lawmakers, three law enforcement officials as well as the commission’s executive director. The board’s chairman Bell who is strongly opposed to marijuana’s legalization, did not return phone calls Monday.
Crime Commission research can at times take a year or longer to complete, with the commission reporting back to lawmakers on their findings. The request follows recent changes on marijuana laws nationwide. A Gallup poll released in October announced that 60 percent of Americans currently support legalizing marijuana, the greatest amount in the 47-years the question has been asked. Voters in four states — California, Maine, Massachusetts and Nevada — passed ballot initiatives approving recreational marijuana on election day, joining others that have previously done the same.
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