"Yes, retail sales of cannabis should be legalized, and frankly, it’s long overdue. Virginia missed a major opportunity to regulate and tax cannabis in a way that could directly benefit our communities. The reality is, cannabis is already being sold across the Commonwealth, so the real question is, why aren’t we doing it the right way? Legalizing retail sales would allow us to bring these transactions out of the shadows, ensure product safety, and generate significant tax revenue that could be reinvested into public education, mental health services, infrastructure, and job creation, especially in communities that have been historically over-policed and disproportionately impacted by the war on drugs. I also support regulations, including age restrictions, licensing requirements, equity provisions for small and minority-owned businesses, and a framework to expunge past low-level cannabis convictions. Legalization should not just be about profit, it should be about justice, public health, and economic opportunity." (Candidate Survey Response)

"I fully support the legalization and responsible regulation of adult-use marijuana in Virginia. Adults should have the freedom to make informed decisions about cannabis use without fear of criminal penalties, as long as it is done safely and responsibly. Legalization is not just about personal freedom, it’s about smart, forward-thinking policy that promotes safety, generates revenue, and corrects decades of disproportionate enforcement that has devastated communities of color. Right now, Virginia is stuck in a half-measure. Possession is legal, but there is no formal, regulated marketplace for cannabis sales. As a result, unregulated sales continue, and they will continue, with or without oversight. The question isn’t if cannabis will be sold, it’s whether the state will take responsibility for ensuring it’s done safely, equitably, and transparently. The longer we delay, the more we allow an underground market to thrive without consumer protections or public benefit. Virginia is missing out on critical opportunities, millions in tax revenue, thousands of new jobs, and reinvestment in public health, education, infrastructure, and substance use treatment. We must also ensure that legalization includes equity measures so that those most harmed by past marijuana laws have a fair shot at participating in the legal market. It’s time to get with the times. Let’s move forward and create a responsible, regulated adult-use cannabis market that benefits all Virginians, not just a few." (Candidate Survey Response)

"I strongly support the automatic expungement of non-violent marijuana possession convictions. No one should continue to bear the weight of a criminal record for something that is now legal, or soon will be, in many parts of the country. These convictions have created lasting barriers to employment, housing, education, and even voting rights for countless individuals, particularly in communities of color that have been disproportionately targeted by the War on Drugs. As a nurse and mental health professional, I’ve worked with people whose lives have been upended not by the use of marijuana itself, but by the long-term consequences of outdated and unjust laws. Expungement should not require an expensive or complicated legal process, justice delayed by bureaucracy is still justice denied. That’s why I believe expungement should be automatic, streamlined, and widely implemented. This isn’t just about clearing records, it’s about restoring dignity, opportunity, and fairness. Automatic expungement is a necessary part of any meaningful marijuana reform effort, and it’s a critical step toward healing the harms of a deeply flawed criminal justice system." (Candidate Survey Response)

"The federal prohibition of marijuana is outdated, unjust, and out of step with the will of the people and the realities on the ground. It continues to create significant legal, economic, and social harm—particularly in communities of color that have disproportionately borne the brunt of criminal enforcement. Despite growing bipartisan support for reform, marijuana remains classified as a Schedule I substance alongside drugs like heroin, a designation that defies both medical research and common sense. As a nurse and mental health professional, I support evidence-based policy. The federal ban on marijuana not only restricts critical research and access to therapeutic options, but also creates legal conflicts for states that have chosen to legalize cannabis for medical or recreational use. This patchwork system hinders public health initiatives, stifles economic opportunity, and perpetuates criminalization. It’s time for the federal government to decriminalize marijuana, expunge non-violent cannabis-related convictions, and create a regulatory framework that supports states' rights while centering equity and public health. Legalization must be paired with reinvestment in communities harmed by prohibition and a commitment to fair access in the legal cannabis industry. Ending the federal prohibition is not just good policy—it’s a moral imperative." (Candidate Survey Response)

"I strongly support the decriminalization of simple possession of marijuana. Criminalizing individuals, especially young people and those from marginalized communities, for possessing small amounts of cannabis has done far more harm than good. It clogs our court systems, burdens people with lifelong records, and perpetuates cycles of poverty, unemployment, and injustice, without improving public safety or health outcomes. As someone who has worked with vulnerable populations in both healthcare and mental health, I have seen the long-term consequences of these low-level drug charges. A simple possession charge can impact housing, employment, education, and access to healthcare. Decriminalization is a necessary step toward dismantling a system that disproportionately punishes Black and Brown communities and redirects law enforcement resources away from serious and violent crimes. Decriminalization must also be paired with policies that promote expungement of past convictions and reinvestment into communities harmed by decades of punitive drug laws. It’s time to shift our approach from criminalization to compassion, from punishment to public health. Decriminalizing marijuana isn’t just about reforming drug policy, it’s about advancing justice, equity, and common sense." (Candidate Survey Response)

"I fully support the expansion of Virginia’s medical cannabis program to improve patient access, affordability, and equity. As a nurse and mental health professional, I’ve seen firsthand the relief that medical cannabis can bring to patients suffering from chronic pain, seizures, PTSD, and other serious health conditions. I’ve also seen how our current system falls short, forcing patients to travel for hours, and navigating a restrictive, outdated model that limits both availability and innovation. Virginia’s vertically integrated, limited-licensure framework is out of touch with patient needs. We must move toward a more inclusive model that allows additional licensed dispensaries and enables local providers to serve their communities more effectively. No patient should be denied relief because of geography, cost, or bureaucracy. Expanding the program is not just a health issue, it’s a matter of compassion, public safety, and justice. Virginia must modernize its approach and center the needs of patients, not profits." (Candidate Survey Response)

"I fully support the legalization of medical marijuana and believe it is both a compassionate and evidence-based approach to care. As a nurse and mental health professional, I have seen firsthand how medical cannabis can offer relief and improve quality of life for individuals dealing with chronic pain, epilepsy, cancer, PTSD, and other debilitating conditions. I’ve worked with patients who have experienced meaningful success using medical marijuana when other treatments failed. I also have family members who have turned to medical cannabis as a last resort and found real comfort and healing. Access to medical marijuana should not be a privilege—it should be a fundamental healthcare right, determined by patients and their medical providers, not by outdated laws or political ideologies. Legalizing medical marijuana would empower providers to offer more individualized, effective care, and allow patients to explore safer alternatives to highly addictive opioids and other pharmaceuticals. It’s time we treat medical marijuana like the legitimate, therapeutic option it is. I support legalizing its medical use in a way that ensures accessibility, affordability, and regulatory oversight—so that those who need it most can find relief without fear of stigma or legal consequence." (Candidate Survey Response)