With a new Democratic majority in the state legislature, Virginia Attorney General Mark Herring is hoping to make major reforms to the state's cannabis laws.
Herring, who is hosting a cannabis summit on December 11, told Cheddar on Tuesday he is bringing together legislators and experts in an effort to push forward his calls for reform.
"I'm really encouraged about the prospect of actually passing decriminalization in Virginia and the prospect of actually passing a plan to move to legal and regulated adult use," he said.
Herring is hopeful that by providing lawmakers a space to ask questions and address concerns with experts, as well as individuals from states that have already legalized or decriminalized marijuana use, his state can move towards passing new legislation.
Marijuana arrests in Virginia hit a 20-year high in 2018, and enforcement costs the state more than $80 million annually, Herring said.
"In Virginia, an arrest and a criminal conviction stays with you your whole life … That's not fair," he said, noting the disproportionate number of black Virginians arrested for marijuana possession.
But he says he is confident Virginia can move forward "in a historic way."
Actress Scarlett Johansson is opening up to Variety about her legal battle against Disney. The actress filed a lawsuit against the entertainment giant back in 2021 over the decision to release Black Widow in theaters and streaming at the same time, a move she says hurt the film's box office potential.
Actor Jonathan Majors was confronted Tuesday with a revised domestic violence charge stemming from a woman’s allegations that the Marvel star twisted her arm, struck her head and shoved her into a vehicle in New York City in March.
A petit basset griffon Vendéen named for Buddy Holly won best in show at the Westminster Kennel Club dog show Tuesday night.
A woman's love of music and singing was passed down to a special member of her family - her dog. Now they're singing duets together.
The 147th annual Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show kicked off Tuesday at the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. Cheddar News went behind the scenes to see how dogs and their handlers have prepared for this moment.
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Singer and YouTube star Dani Apple taught her dog, Clarence, a special trick: singing along with her while she's rehearsing.
'Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3' brought in $114 million domestically in its box-office debut in North America.
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Cheddar's own Shannon LaNier went to a temple right here in New York City to learn more about the martial arts tradition known as Kung Fu from actual Shaolin warrior monks.
