Wednesday in Richmond, Democrat Senator Adam Ebbin from Alexandria reintroduced his marijuana decriminalization bill in the Senate of Virginia, in support of communities of color and low-income Virginians.
Ebbin says criminal charges involving marijuana have adverse impacts on offenders later in life, like in child custody cases, applying for student financial aid and security clearances, and finding jobs.
“I don’t know who wants their children to face such a serious chain of results over something they did as a youth,” said Senator Ebbin.
Senate Bill 997 would make possession of marijuana a civil offense, easing those long term effects.
Ebbin says black Virginians are 283 percent more likely to be arrested on marijuana charges than white Virginians. He also reports Virginia spent $67 million dollars in marijuana enforcement in 2010.
