Around the United States, laws are changing when it comes to criminal charges on soft recreational drugs like cannabis, also known as marijuana. With numerous updates showing up in the news, it can be hard to keep up with what is going on locally. It can be even more confusing when you try to apply the laws to your situation.
If, for example, a neighbor sees you smoking a joint and calls the police, can you expect to face legal consequences, or will it be a non-issue? The answer is: It depends on where you live. If you live in Virginia, here is what you need to know.
1. Virginia laws are changing, too
As numerous states and cities revise existing laws on soft recreational drugs, Virginia is making changes, too. For example, Virginia recently became the third state in 2021 to legalize adult-use recreational cannabis, joining 16 other states at the time that voters passed the legislation.
2. Changes go into effect July 1, 2021
With the passing of legalization, Virginians can expect changes to officially go into effect on July 1, 2021. After this date, it will be legal for adults over the age of 21 to possess up to 1 ounce of cannabis.
3. Possession and selling are not the same
While recent changes to the law allow people in Virginia to freely possess up to a certain amount of cannabis, they do not permit anyone to sell it without a license. On the contrary, selling or trafficking any form of the substance is still a federal felony. This also applies to manufacturing without a license.
With frequent updates to drug laws, it can be hard to keep up. If you are in Virginia, this article can help you out.
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