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Virginia became the 16th state to decriminalized marijuana on Wednesday.
In Virginia, you will now only get a $25 fine for simple possession of marijuana, penalties carrying jail or prison time are removed. Sales remain illegal.According to the Virginia Attorney General Mark Herring, this is a step to fully legalize marijuana in the state of Virginia. Supporters say this move will have a positive impact of the state’s African American population, who are disproportionally charged with drug crimes.
“Decriminalization is an incredibly important first step, and one that many thought we may never see in Virginia, but we cannot stop until we have legal and regulated adult use,” Herring said in a statement.
11 states have fully legalized marijuana.
Written by Clarke Jones
Source: VOX