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Virginia officials are accepting comments by email until Aug. 25 about whether simple possession of marijuana should no longer be a crime, and advocates for changing the law are encouraging participation.

The study being conducted this year by the Virginia State Crime Commission came at the request of the legislature. Comments or material relevant to the study can be emailed to the Crime Commission at vsccinfo@vscc.virginia.gov.

The commission will present study findings on Oct. 5.

Jenn Michelle Pedini, the executive director of Virginia NORML, which advocates for reform of marijuana laws, said the group wants the state to hear the concerns of everyday people.

“Seventy-eight percent of Virginians support this type of reform,” she said.

Senate Majority Leader Thomas K. Norment Jr., R-James City, led the effort for a study and has said he’s open to decriminalization.

What’s being discussed is changing the penalty for possession of small amounts from a criminal misdemeanor to a civil fine. Some lawmakers have said they are concerned about the impact of giving someone a criminal record.