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."
The U.S. said it will ban all shipments of palm oil from one of the world’s biggest producers after finding indicators of forced labor and other abuses on plantations feeding into the supply chains of some of America’s most famous food and cosmetic companies.
The clothing brand's four co-owners discuss their unexpected journey to launching a lasting and impactful business.
From the slow-going COVID-19 vaccine rollout to robots rockin' out, here is all the news you Need2Know for Wednesday, December 30, 2020.
The first U.S. government dietary guidelines for infants and toddlers recommend feeding only breast milk for at least six months and giving no added sugar to children younger than 2.
Tech jobs are open, yet a strong, diverse group of potential workers are being overlooked.
The Oracle of Omaha gave a rare interview for the University of Nebraska-Lincoln's online commencement ceremony.
Forward-thinking beverage producers are nixing animal byproducts and additives and implementing more eco-friendly and humane practices.
As 2020 winds to a close, the industry will head into 2021 propelled by titanic shifts in the perception of cannabis in the U.S. and unprecedented political tailwinds.
From the Capitol Hill showdown over stimulus checks to the latest on the Nashville bombing, here is all the news you Need2Know for December 29, 2020.
Retailers like JCPenney and Staples had to change on the fly to meet new demands as working from home became a new norm amid the 2020 pandemic.
