Marijuana Justice
Stop Youth Criminalization for Marijuana in VA
Help end youth criminalization for marijuana offenses
Posted November 21, 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 dismantle the Virginia Drug War fully and repair Indigenous, Black, and other disproportionately targeted communities.
Youth decriminalization of cannabis is one of our focus areas for this upcoming General Assembly session. While the state is actively pursuing commercialization, we believe that no one should be criminalized for marijuana, especially youth. We need support with research and legislation to bring forward to the General Assembly and end youth criminalization.
Work & Deliverables
Ultimately, we need lawyers to help research and draft specific legislation relating to youth convictions for cannabis-related offenses. The project will also need a memo to help explain the choices made in writing the legislation and any data learned in 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, racial justice, and reparations from prohibition-related harm.
Preparation Phase
- Schedule a background call with volunteer coordinator
- Sign volunteer agreement and return to volunteer coordinator
- Review JLARC study for marijuana legalization in Virginia
Collaboration Phase
- Obtain background information to help inform the priorities for the legislation
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
- Draft legislation proposal for Virginia’s General Assembly
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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.
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.