I was the the first member of the Virginia General Assembly to introduce comprehensive legislation to legalize adult use of marijuana, and I have introduced a number of related bills to support legalization. In 2021, I was the Chief Co-Sponsor of the House Majority Leader's bill to fully legalize marijuana, and my legalization bill introduced in the same session was incorporated into the omnibus bill which was signed into law by the Governor. I was actually awarded the pen the Governor used to sign the bill in recognition of my longstanding support and advocacy for this legislation.

Since joining the Virginia General Assembly in the 2016 Session, I have sponsored, co-sponsored and supported multiple bills seeking the automatic expungement of non-violent criminal records reflecting convictions for marijuana possession.

Criminalizing simple possession of marijuana has no positive public policy purpose: it does not deter the use of marijuana, it forecloses a defendant's career options and opportunities unnecessarily, and statistics reflects grossly disproportionate enforcement racially.

As a former member of the Virginia Board of Medicine, I have long supported the establishment, development, and expansion of Virginia's medical cannabis program. 

HB 2371: Marijuana; legalization of simple marijuana possession; penalty

HB2312 Legalization (Chief Co-Patron)