The Virginia Cannabis Industry and the Concerns Around Virginia NORML
The Virginia cannabis industry is volatile. Legacy operators feel slighted by the recent actions of Organizations and Lobbyist. This series explores the concerns the patients in the Commonwealth.
Authors Note
I have dedicated countless hours of research into this series you are about to start reading. The objective is to answer the peoples questions concerning “what is going on in the Virginia cannabis legislation effort?”.. and with valid points,
I am proud to have dug into this web of organizations, non profits, consulting firms, lobbyist, and more to answer the questions asked by the patients that need this plant in the Commonwealth and have voiced their concerns to me.
The topic of possible “Shananigans” in the Virginia industry first hit my radar about January 2022. I have since been seeking answers. This process has led to a notebook full of my writings; taking notes, saving articles, conducting interviews with various stakeholders and organizations, count less phone calls, emails, voice messages (some never returned many not returned after I shared the topic of interests) And Ive spent many late nights researching through the spanning years of coverage on the cannabis industry in the Commonwealth.
Each article posted will be written as an opinion piece, backed by the many news articles, public records, and personal experiences I have consumed and gathered over this time, as a resident, patient, and an active part of the cannabis community in Virginia.
It is not to be taken as fact by sight, research it on your own please. It isn’t meant to be proof of wrongdoing. It certainly is not evidence of crime.
It is my intent to provide screenshots, easily accessible links, and to cite every reference sourced for this series. Please ask if I miss linking one, and I encourage, insist, that anyone reading my words do their own digging into this, not take my word for it. Rather use my research, thoughts, and words as the launchpad for your own opinion.
Alright, I know you’re bored of the prelude here and want to get to the “good stuff” in this article, just one last thing. I ask that you, curious reader do me one little favor.
While reading please keep this question at the forefront of your mind:
“Who has something to gain from this being written?”
The activist, patient, and 22 year cannabis educator?
Or the Multi State Operators doing Billions in revenue in the monopolized East coast markets? 🤔
Virginia Legalization Timeline Summary
Over the last few years, the commonwealth has seen an explosive growth in the newly legal market. For those not familiar, the following is a summarized timeline of cannabis legalization in Virginia I found online (source cited below):
“March 16, 2017: Virginia enacts a comprehensive medical cannabis law
Through the bill, patients suffering from intractable epilepsy were allowed access to CBD and THC-A oil.
March 9, 2018: Medical cannabis law expanded
Less than a year later, the law changed so that patients suffering from any diagnosed condition or disease, not just epilepsy, could access to CBD or THC-A oil
May 21, 2020: Marijuana is decriminalized
Gov. Northam signed a bill decriminalizing simple marijuana possession and enacted a civil penalty of no more than $25. Before, the law would impose a maximum fine of $500 and a maximum 30-day jail sentence for a first offense, and subsequent offenses are a Class 1 misdemeanor.
Nov. 9, 2020: Marijuana decriminalization law expanded
Northam signed a bill that prohibited law enforcement officers from stopping, searching or seizing a person or place if they believe they smell marijuana coming from that individual.
April 7, 2021: Virginia legalizes marijuana
After accelerating the process by three years, Northam signs a bill making Virginia the first Southern state to legalize marijuana.
July 1, 2021: Virginia marijuana legalization begins
The law goes into effect, allowing people 21 years and older to use marijuana while following specific guidelines like the amount you have and where you choose to use it.
2022: Portions of the bill need to be reenacted by General Assembly
The 2022 General Assembly needs to reenact the specific sections of the bill, including portions dealing with those incarcerated for marijuana-related offenses as well as retail sales of marijuana.”
The Current State of the Virginia Cannabis Industry
It’s 2023 and sadly, those big ambitions from the previous officials, have not panned out. In fact, the only things that has panned out as planned, has been in favor of those MSO that have the money to pay for it.
So, what can be done about this gross overstepping into the legacy community by these out of state corporations?
A simple internet search will reveal Virginias’ many activist groups, including multiple chapters of the National organization for the reform of Marijuana laws.
It would be easy for an outsider to take a quick look online or social media and THINK all is in order and these groups have done all they could for the people. At least that would be a good assumption with names such as, the Virginia Cannabis Industry Association, Virginia Cannabis Group, and Cannabis Commonwealth all popping up and dominating the SEO on those searches.
Each group appears to work towards legalizing the plant, or helping others understand the rules around it at least. Digging deeper into them you see many also claim to be the “go to” place in the commonwealth for business advice and help to legally jump into the industry!
These groups all seem to have the best interest of the people at heart.
How sweet. How selfless. What kind of amazing person gives of their time, talent, reputation, and connections to help the people of Virginia launch their small businesses and enter the emerging (and BOOMING!) cannabis market 🙌 We really should have an award made up… here’s just one idea for what it could look like….
Despite the growing interest in reform, the slow forwards progress coupled with massive donations being poured into a limited market, many Virginians have questions. All of which I found to be valid and worth asking. So, here we go.
First up. Let’s take a deep dive into the most talked about organization in this tangled mess. It’s time to dive into the state chapter of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws…. aka Virginia NORML.
Coming up…
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I’ll be publishing the real history of Virginias’ state NORML chapter.