Brandon Turbeville
March 14, 2016
It appears that, after decades of oppressive and freedom-crushing drug legislation, even the state of Virginia is being forced to come to grips with the rising tide of public opinion that no longer views marijuana as the substance equivalent to al-Qaeda.
Fresh on the heels of a bill that was passed by the Virginia House and Senate and signed into law by Virginia Governor Terry McAuliffe that allowed for the possession of marijuana oil that is being used to treat intractable epilepsy, Virginia lawmakers have recently passed legislation that will allow for the production of that oil in the state.
Back in February 2015, an emotional testimony by parents of children suffering from daily seizures (as well as a 14-year-old girl who actually had a seizure during the committee hearing), Virginia lawmakers agreed on legislation that would allow Virginia citizens to possess and use marijuana oil for the treatment of epilepsy. Anyone possessing this oil must have a doctor’s certification that it is being used to treat intractable epilepsy.
The bill also allowed doctors to issue these types of certifications. To be clear, the law did not legalize marijuana oil; in fact, possession of the oil even with a doctor’s certification is still technically illegal. However, the law provides what is known as an “affirmative defense” from prosecution for anyone that possesses the certification. Essentially, the oil is still illegal but prosecutors will be prevented from prosecuting these specific cases.
It appears that, after decades of oppressive and freedom-crushing drug legislation, even the state of Virginia is being forced to come to grips with the rising tide of public opinion that no longer views marijuana as the substance equivalent to al-Qaeda.
Fresh on the heels of a bill that was passed by the Virginia House and Senate and signed into law by Virginia Governor Terry McAuliffe that allowed for the possession of marijuana oil that is being used to treat intractable epilepsy, Virginia lawmakers have recently passed legislation that will allow for the production of that oil in the state.
Back in February 2015, an emotional testimony by parents of children suffering from daily seizures (as well as a 14-year-old girl who actually had a seizure during the committee hearing), Virginia lawmakers agreed on legislation that would allow Virginia citizens to possess and use marijuana oil for the treatment of epilepsy. Anyone possessing this oil must have a doctor’s certification that it is being used to treat intractable epilepsy.
The bill also allowed doctors to issue these types of certifications. To be clear, the law did not legalize marijuana oil; in fact, possession of the oil even with a doctor’s certification is still technically illegal. However, the law provides what is known as an “affirmative defense” from prosecution for anyone that possesses the certification. Essentially, the oil is still illegal but prosecutors will be prevented from prosecuting these specific cases.
