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."
Jason Nichols, senior lecturer in the African American Studies Department at the University of Maryland, joins Cheddar News to discuss the mixed reaction following the Academy banning Will Smith.
Christine Doig, director of product innovation at Netflix, joins Cheddar News to discuss the streamers interactive content and its new Two Thumbs Up feature.
Catching you up on what you need to know on April 11, 2022, with updates on the Russia-Ukraine War, France’s presidential election, the record deforestation of the Amazon Rainforest, retail giant Amazon's objection to the Staten Island union vote, the worsening baby formula shortage, a lawsuit against Rutgers Law School, and a stomach illness possibly linked to Lucky Charms cereal.
A Texas D.A. drops a murder charge related to a "self-induced abortion," Elon Musk drops Twitter's board, and the Master's hands out a new green jacket. Here is all the news you Need2Know for Monday, April 11, 2022.
Between Bells executive producer Conor White recaps some of the biggest stories of the week, and teaches Baker Machado and Hena Doba a thing or two at the same time. It's This Week In Trivia!
Actor Kate Walsh spoke to Cheddar News about her return for a guest appearance on the long-running hit show "Grey's Anatomy. Along with her reacquainting herself with the role of Dr. Addison Montgomery, Walsh also discussed her work as Madeline on "Emily in Paris," and answered the question of what's more difficult: medical jargon or deliberately bad French.
Lonely Planet is looking to provide tech-savvy travelers with the building blocks to plan their own trips in a new travel experience series. Sebastian Modak, editor-at-large for Lonely Planet, joined Cheddar News to discuss its travel planning innovation. "We’re really offering new perspectives on these places and new approaches to experiencing them," Modak said.
