SPANBERGER FACES CALLS TO DROP MARIJUANA FINE INCREASE

Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger submitted proposed budget amendments to the state House of Delegates and Senate on Friday for review on Monday. The amendments include provisions supporting legalisation of recreational marijuana sales but would increase the penalty for public cannabis use from $25 to $250—a 900 per cent rise. Advocacy groups and civil rights organisations have called on Spanberger to remove the fine increase from the bill.

Marijuana Justice, a coalition of cannabis advocacy organisations, obtained enforcement data through a freedom of information request showing that enforcement patterns differ by race. Since 2021, the data recorded 195 white people and 179 Black people charged with public cannabis consumption in Virginia. The group argues this disparity means Black people are more than three times as likely to be charged as white people based on state population demographics. The ACLU of Virginia and other organisations wrote to Spanberger warning that higher penalties "deepen racial and economic disparities" and are enforced disproportionately against Black and brown communities.

Chelsea Higgs Wise, co-founder and executive director of Marijuana Justice, published an editorial arguing the fine would create severe hardship for low-income residents. She stated that whilst a $250 fine represents a minor inconvenience for wealthy people, it constitutes "a catastrophic economic barrier" for renters, residents of federal public housing and those experiencing homelessness. The legislature will decide whether to approve, modify or reject the proposed amendment when it convenes on Monday.