Editor's Note: It is significant that in addition to a majority favoring legalizing possession of small amounts of marijuana, as this article reports, "Close to 9 of every 10 Virginia voters polled also wanted doctors to be able to legally prescribe marijuana for medicinal purposes." Yet Virginia has only a very limited medical law in place–HB 1445, which provides an affirmative defense (though doesn't protect against arrest) for the use of CBD or THC-A oil by patients (with a prescription) with intractable epilepsy. The law does not provide any means for those patients to obtain the medicine.
While the passage of HB 1445 shows, at least, slight progress, lawmakers need to start listening to their constituents and acting on behalf of their interests. Is it not still the foundation of our democracy that a "government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth"? (From the Gettysburg Address)
Most Virginia voters favor legalizing possession of small amounts of marijuana - a view shared by a majority of Americans, according to state and national polls released Tuesday.
Both surveys indicated that support for legalization is highest among young adults and gradually decreases among older age groups. Support also varies by party affiliation, with most self-identified Democrats and independents favoring legalization and most Republicans opposing it.
In Virginia, a telephone survey by Quinnipiac University found that just over half of respondents - 54 percent - favor allowing adults to possess a small amount of the drug for personal use. Forty-one percent opposed legalization, and 5 percent didn't know or didn't say.
