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Why Do Virginia Lawmakers Want to Make over 4 Ounces of Weed Illegal, Again?

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Virginia is looking to make cannabis a crime again after approving recreational weed!

Lawmakers in the state of Virginia are segregated on the issue of when and how cannabis should be made legal in the state.

The lawmakers have issued a budget proposal that would see possession of cannabis that weighs over four ounces in public as a criminal misconduct offense. The lawmakers of Virginia state are looking to bring back a bill that makes such possession a crime once more, not up to a year following the vote for the legalization of recreational marijuana for adults by the legislature.

A year ago, the General Assembly of Virginia gave approval to a bill that made possession of up to an ounce of weed for personal use legal. According to the bill, possessing cannabis between an ounce and a pound in weight was said to be a civil infraction, carrying a twenty-five dollars fine at worst, but possessing an excess of one pound of pot is still a felony.

Now, under this new budget proposal issued by the state lawmakers during the weekend, the crime of possessing more than four ounces of cannabis in public will be a Class 3 misconduct criminal offense carrying a fine of as much as 500 dollars. And if caught a second time, the offense will be charged as a Class 2 misconduct, which, if convicted, could lead to a six months jail time sentence and as much as a thousand dollars fine.

According to a report obtained from the Richmond Times-Dispatch, the two-party budget compromise is backed by the Democratic Senate Finance and Appropriations Chair Janet Howell, as well as the Republican House Appropriations Chair Barry Knight.

Following the release of the budget proposal on Sunday evening, Republican House Appropriations Chair Barry Knight stated they did not achieve all that they wanted to, but that he thinks they are quite content given what they got. He added that he does not believe it was either a case of the House prevailing over the Senate or the Senate prevailing over the House.

In the previous year, it was suggested by the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission that Virginia should follow the footsteps of other states in making possession of higher amounts of marijuana misconduct, a change he claimed to be wanted but the police.

The statement from Barry Knight was that it is further in conjunction with the actions of other states, so they are not standing alone out there and that they know their law enforcement desires it.

A Few Lawmakers And Virginia Activists Are Against The Recriminalization

With the lawmakers making moves to pass the bill, marijuana activists and a few lawmakers, as well as the state Senator L. Louise Lucas, are against the alteration in the budget proposal. Senator Lucas stated via a tweet that he voted against the criminalization of cannabis before. He is working to end this recent effort to criminalize cannabis once more.

He went on to say that this is aimed at brown and black people who have always been overcharged with these crimes in the past and that the state does not need these laws to return them to the past.

The Executive director of the group Marijuana Justice Virginia, Chelsea Highs Wise, teamed up with other activist groups in an email sent on Sunday evening to Howell. She wrote in the email that lawmakers should stop looking for more ways to make Virginians criminals and that everyone should work on making right the wrongs from the destructive and failed prohibition.

Highs Wise also added that officials in Virginia must not let the budget proposal become a lawful workaround to enforce what the administration wants while excluding the will and the people’s voice. The legislative director for the ACLU of Virginia, Ashna Khanna, spoke up saying Virginia should also take the same approach as New Jersey as they passed their legitimate cannabis plan just this week, which not just fines and charges underaged people but sets up intervention services for them.

The Budget Deal Also Includes Provisions for Hemp

The budget compromises also include the wording to create new labeling of hemp products and requirements for laboratory testing. The proposal would prohibit the sale of products that contain THC to anybody younger than 21 years old. It, however, includes an exception for patients who require medical marijuana. The plan would as well ban products sold in specific child-like forms or are fake products.

Virginia Cannabis Business Association lobbyist Dylan Bishop praised the legislature and  Governor Glenn Youngkin’s administration for drafting a proposal in collaboration with the cannabis industry.

Dylan Bishop, in a statement, said it appropriately addresses the justified public concerns on safety over products that are labeled and packed irresponsibly without unjustly putting Virginia’s farmers, small businesses, and retailers at a disadvantage. But J.M. Pedini, the executive director of The National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML) in Virginia, who supported legislation that would have seen delta-8 products regulated, claimed that the compromise on the budget will still not change the existing loopholes.

This budget proposal is not the first time Virginia lawmakers have made attempts to abolish the cannabis legalization law passed last year. During the regular session of this year’s General Assembly, Senator Adam Evin submitted a bill to regulate the sale of cannabis, which would lead to a new misconduct possession crime. And then, in April, the State Senate declined yet another proposal, this one from Youngkin, which was to criminalize possession of more than two ounces of weeds under the hemp industry bill.

A decision might be made after the General Assembly meets in a special session to contemplate the budget proposal, as well as the provision for re-criminalization of possession of over four ounces of weed.

Bottom Line

Although the bill to recriminalize the possession of cannabis of more than four ounces has support from both the Democrats and the Republicans, there are still individuals in the legislative, as well as cannabis activists, who see the bill as a step backward and in the wrong direction.

Source: https://cannabis.net/blog/news/why-do-virginia-lawmakers-want-to-make-over-4-ounces-of-weed-illegal-again

Corruption

Vigilance Arrests Officials After Bribery Complaints at Supply Office

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HARIDWAR, Uttarakhand — Officials from the Dehradun-based Vigilance Department have arrested Haridwar District Supply Officer Shyam Arya and two other employees on charges of accepting a bribe of ₹50,000, authorities confirmed. The arrests took place during a planned operation after investigators laid a trap at the District Supply Office in response to repeated complaints from the public.

According to vigilance sources, the accused were caught “red-handed” while receiving the alleged bribe, reportedly demanded in exchange for official services within the department. The operation, coordinated from the state capital of Dehradun, underscores the department’s commitment to tackling corruption.

Complaints That Triggered the Operation
The arrests followed months of complaints alleging that officials at the Haridwar District Supply Office were routinely soliciting illegal payments for government services. These included the issuance of ration cards, approvals for licenses, and other administrative clearances under the public distribution system.

Vigilance officials said preliminary verification of the complaints indicated a recurring pattern rather than isolated incidents. Following this assessment, the department used a standard anti-corruption tactic of laying a trap to obtain direct evidence of bribe solicitation and acceptance.

Inside the Supply Office
After the arrests, vigilance teams established a presence inside the office, sealing parts of the premises while examining files and records. Investigators are reviewing documentation related to recent approvals and transactions to determine whether the alleged bribery was systemic.

The accused are also being questioned to identify potential accomplices and to ascertain whether accepting bribes was a routine practice. Officials noted that the investigation could expand depending on findings from the document review and interrogations.

A Broader Anti-Corruption Push
The case has drawn attention across Uttarakhand’s administrative machinery, particularly within the Supply Department, which plays a vital role in delivering welfare services. Vigilance officials said the arrests reflect a “zero-tolerance” approach toward corruption and warned that similar operations will continue wherever credible complaints arise.

The state’s anti-corruption drives have intensified in recent months, emphasizing both deterrence and accountability. While the investigation in Haridwar remains in its early stages, officials say it highlights the risks faced by public servants accused of exploiting their positions and the growing willingness of enforcement agencies to act on citizen complaints.

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A Tipping Point for Cannabis: President Trump Champions CBD & Cannabis Science on Truth Social

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When the President of the United States shares a video about the life changing potential of hemp derived CBD on his personal social media platform, it is more than news, it is a cultural shift.

For decades our government lied to us about cannabis. It demonized the plant, waged war on its users, and filled prisons while allowing pharmaceutical companies to flood the nation with addictive and deadly drugs. For over a century we have been fighting uphill, not just for legalization, but for truth, for science, and for the right to heal ourselves naturally.

Now in 2025, the most powerful political figure on Earth is using his own voice and platform to talk about the endocannabinoid system and the science backed benefits of CBD. That is monumental. It is validation for everyone who has fought, been arrested, been silenced, and been dismissed for telling this truth. The President’s video post is already being described as a pivotal moment in cannabis history, and President Trump CBD Cannabis Science Truth Social is trending across platforms as advocates celebrate the breakthrough.


The Science Behind the Endocannabinoid System

The video begins by introducing something most people, including many doctors, still know little about, the endocannabinoid system. Discovered in the 1990s, the ECS is a network of receptors and signaling molecules that works as the body’s master regulator, coordinating communication between major systems like the nervous, immune, cardiovascular, and digestive systems.

The roots of this discovery go back much further. CBD was first isolated in 1940 by American chemist Roger Adams, but it was Dr. Raphael Mechoulam, an Israeli organic chemist, who fully elucidated the chemical structure of CBD and identified its stereochemistry in the 1960s. His pioneering work not only opened the door to modern cannabinoid science but also earned him the title “Godfather of Cannabis Research.” It was this foundation that led to the identification of the endocannabinoid system itself decades later, revealing how cannabinoids interact with our physiology on a fundamental level.

The ECS is now widely recognized as a vital part of human biology, with extensive research supported by the National Institutes of Health. When functioning properly, the ECS acts like the conductor of an orchestra, ensuring every section plays in harmony. As we age, the system weakens. That imbalance is linked to inflammation, chronic pain, cognitive decline, sleep problems, and many other conditions associated with aging.

Mainstream medicine often addresses these issues with pharmaceutical band aids, dangerous and addictive drugs that treat symptoms rather than root causes. Lifestyle changes such as diet and exercise help, but they only partially support the ECS and do so slowly over time.


Hemp Derived CBD: A Game Changer for Aging

Here is where the science gets exciting. As the video explains, the ECS can be restored much more quickly with hemp derived CBD. Strengthening this system naturally helps the body regain balance, reducing pain, improving sleep, lowering stress, slowing disease progression, and even extending healthy lifespan.

It is not theoretical. One in five seniors is already using CBD to manage pain, arthritis, cancer symptoms, sleep disorders, Alzheimer’s, and more. Despite decades of research and acknowledgment from institutions like the National Institutes of Health, most physicians receive no training on the ECS. There are still no FDA standards for CBD products on the market. If that were the case for any other class of medicine, it would be considered malpractice.

The World Health Organization has confirmed CBD’s excellent safety profile and non addictive nature in its critical review report. The result is that millions of older Americans are suffering unnecessarily when a safe and natural solution exists.

Hemp derived CBD is a powerful first step in restoring balance to the endocannabinoid system, but it is only part of the picture. Research shows that full spectrum cannabis extracts, which include a broader range of cannabinoids and terpenes, can work even more effectively. Complete concentrated cannabis oil, containing the full spectrum of natural endocannabinoids, may deliver the most profound results for certain patients. Expanding access to these therapies will be essential if we want to unlock the full healing potential of this plant.


The Economic and Social Impact

The video cites a powerful figure. A PricewaterhouseCoopers analysis estimates that fully integrating cannabis into the healthcare system could save the United States nearly 64 billion dollars annually. These savings reflect reduced pharmaceutical dependency, fewer hospitalizations, improved chronic disease outcomes, and enhanced quality of life for aging Americans. You can read more about PwC’s research on healthcare innovation here.

It is a financial argument, but it is also a moral one. Why should our elders endure pain, anxiety, and cognitive decline when nature has given us tools to help them live longer, happier, and healthier lives?


A Call to Action: Finish What the Farm Bill Started

The message concludes by crediting the 2018 Farm Bill, championed by President Trump, for legalizing hemp and laying the groundwork for today’s CBD market. The Farm Bill was just the first step.

Now the call is for bold next moves.

  • Educate doctors about the endocannabinoid system
  • Include CBD under Medicare coverage
  • Provide clear federal standards for CBD quality and dosing

These steps would constitute the most significant senior health reform in modern history, one that would transform aging and cement a powerful legacy for any administration that makes it happen.


What This Means for Future Cannabis Medicine

For those of us who have been in the cannabis community for decades, this is not just another news story. It is a signal that our movement is winning. A conversation that was once criminalized and censored is now being amplified by the President of the United States on his own platform.

It means the science is undeniable. It means the truth can no longer be buried. It means the wall of prohibition is cracking, not just legally, but culturally, scientifically, and politically.

It also means that everything we have been fighting for at 420 Magazine since 1993, education, access, healing, and justice, is finally moving full steam ahead. The President Trump CBD Cannabis Science Truth Social moment is proof that science and policy are finally converging.

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New Mexico cannabis operator fined, loses license for alleged BioTrack fraud

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New Mexico regulators fined a cannabis operator nearly $300,000 and revoked its license after the company allegedly created fake reports in the state’s traceability software.

The New Mexico Cannabis Control Division (CCD) accused marijuana manufacturer and retailer Golden Roots of 11 violations, according to Albuquerque Business First.

Golden Roots operates the The Cannabis Revolution Dispensary.

The majority of the violations are related to the Albuquerque company’s improper use of BioTrack, which has been New Mexico’s track-and-trace vendor since 2015.

The CCD alleges Golden Roots reported marijuana production only two months after it had received its vertically integrated license, according to Albuquerque Business First.

Because cannabis takes longer than two months to be cultivated, the CCD was suspicious of the report.

After inspecting the company’s premises, the CCD alleged Golden Roots reported cultivation, transportation and sales in BioTrack but wasn’t able to provide officers who inspected the site evidence that the operator was cultivating cannabis.

In April, the CCD revoked Golden Roots’ license and issued a $10,000 fine, according to the news outlet.

The company requested a hearing, which the regulator scheduled for Sept. 1.

At the hearing, the CCD testified that the company’s dried-cannabis weights in BioTrack were suspicious because they didn’t seem to accurately reflect how much weight marijuana loses as it dries.

Company employees also poorly accounted for why they were making adjustments in the system of up to 24 pounds of cannabis, making comments such as “bad” or “mistake” in the software, Albuquerque Business First reported.

Golden Roots was fined $298,972.05 – the amount regulators allege the company made selling products that weren’t properly accounted for in BioTrack.

The CCD has been cracking down on cannabis operators accused of selling products procured from out-of-state or not grown legally:

Golden Roots was the first alleged rulebreaker in New Mexico to be asked to pay a large fine.

Source: https://mjbizdaily.com/new-mexico-cannabis-operator-fined-loses-license-for-alleged-biotrack-fraud/

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