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Marijuana Justice

Help End Virginia's Cannabis Prohibition

Help end Virginia's cannabis prohibition through legislative proposals.

Posted September 16, 2021

Background & Context

The statewide work of Marijuana Justice has already made an impact by creating less harsh penalties in 2020 decriminalization and fighting for redressing past harms within the 2021 legalization proposal. Marijuana Justice is excited to continue to build people power in the Commonwealth to fully dismantle the Virginia Drug War and bring restitution to our Indigenous, Black, and other disparately impacted family members.

This specific project will help to end the harm the cannabis prohibition has had on our state. Despite legalizing cannabis this year, there are still people locked in our prisons and jails for cannabis-related crimes, as well as people who are on probation or otherwise negatively impacted by old cannabis-related convictions. Our project will identify how many people are affected and seek to end or reduce the harm done by cannabis prohibition through 2022 legalization.

Work & Deliverables

Ultimately, we need lawyers to help with research and draft specific legislation relating to reparations through guaranteed Income by way of direct cash payments for people convicted of cannabis-related offenses in the past. The project will also need a memo to help explain the choices made in writing the legislation and any data learned in the process of conducting the background research for the project. The lawyer may also create summaries of data collected during the project. This data will be used in the resentencing context and other areas, including social equity, child welfare analysis and reparations from prohibition-related harm.

Project Plan

Preparation Phase

  • Schedule a background call with the Executive Director and Policy Coordinator to go over Marijuana J
  • Sign volunteer agreement and return to Executive Director.
  • Review research study and information provided by Marijuana Justice Virginia.

Collaboration Phase

  • Get to know Marijuana Justice Virginia’s Team and coalition.
  • Obtain background information to help inform the priorities for the legislation.
  • Draft legislation proposal for Virginia’s General Assembly.
  • Send first draft to Executive Director and Policy Coordinator.
  • Review markups.
  • Schedule a call to discuss mark ups and proposed revisions.

Wrap Up

  • Send final legislation proposal to Executive Director and Policy Coordinator.
  • Help to answer questions if they arise from legislators during the legislative process.

This project is complete!

This project has been completed thanks to the efforts of our volunteers.

Visit the Project Directory to check out other projects that still need your help!

Additional Information

  • Time Commitment: 21+ hours
  • Training Provided: No
  • Site-Preference: Remote
  • Open to Law Students: No
  • Bar License(s) required: Any Bar License
  • Required Languages: None
  • Preferred Languages: Other
  • Required Legal Expertise: Administrative Law, Civil Rights, Criminal Law, Family Law, Good Government, Human Rights, Political Law, Voting Rights
  • Signup Deadline: January 19, 2022
  • Deliverables Due: April 19, 2022
  • Mentoring Provided: No
  • Supervision Provided: Yes
Marijuana Justice

Marijuana Justice works to repeal the prohibition of marijuana, repair criminal records and bring reparations from the failed War on Drugs. Founded in 2019 by Black grassroot organizers rooted in racial justice, the work is fueled by both 501c3 and 501c4 power in order to build movements in the community and influence Virginia legislation. The statewide work of Marijuana Justice has already made an impact through creating less harsh penalties in 2020 decriminalization as well as fighting for redressing past harms within the 2021 legalization proposal. Marijuana Justice is excited to continue to build people power in the Commonwealth to fully dismantle the Virginia Drug War and bring restitution to our Indigenous, Black and other disparately impacted family members.

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