NORML

👎 Lawmakers declined to consider Democratic Governor Abigail Spanberger's proposed amendments to the adult-use retail sales bill.

"Governor Spanberger's substitute bill would have reversed years of progress in Virginia," said NORML's JM Pedini. "Passage of these amendments would have resulted in a return to racially discriminatory ma*****na policing across the commonwealth, while also compromising public safety by continuing to drive Virginians to the unregulated market for at least another year."

🔗 Read more: https://norml.org/news/2026/04/23/virginia-lawmakers-reject-governors-amendments-to-ma*****na-sales-bill/

🚨 Take action: https://norml.org/act/virginia-legalize-and-regulate-adult-use-cannabis-sales-2026/

🚨 "Her proposed new crimes would repeal the bipartisan measure that decriminalized ma*****na possession way back in 2020," Pedini said.

Pedini added that the proposal would keep ma*****na in the hands of the unregulated market instead of placing it behind an age-verified counter where the state can reap tax benefits.

"As a cannabis policy expert, I can tell you that these amendments would not improve public safety, but what they would do is disproportionately impact Black, Brown, and young Virginians in every community in the Commonwealth," Pedini said.

Spanberger proposes delaying retail ma*****na sales and adding new criminal charges Virginia first legalized ma*****na possession for adults aged 21 and older in 2021, but retail sales have been blocked ever since.

🌿 New research found prenatal cannabis exposure was not associated with negative cognitive outcomes.

This matters because too many conversations around pregnancy and cannabis rely on fear instead of facts.

🔗 Read more: https://norml.org/news/2026/04/16/study-prenatal-cannabis-exposure-not-associated-with-negative-cognitive-outcomes-at-adolescence/

😚💨 Used cannabis last night? New research found no measurable cognitive differences the next day between cannabis consumers and non-users tested 12 to 15 hours later.

Another reminder that past use and present impairment are not the same thing.

No Measurable Next-Day Cognitive Effects After Cannabis Use Study's results have significant policy implications

🥳💨 Good vibes are easy. Making them matter takes 30 seconds.

We pulled together a few quick ways to support cannabis freedom, power progress, and turn today’s energy into something bigger.

🔗 More at: https://norml.org/420/