Support in Virginia is growing for medical marijuana

VIRGINIA – In January 2017, at the Virginia General Assembly, Republican state Sen. Jill Vogel submitted medical marijuana bill SB 1298 to the Senate and House.

The bill listed 12 conditions that would benefit from cannabidiol or THC-A oil treatment: cancer, glaucoma, HIV, AIDS, hepatitus C, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Crohn’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, nail patella, cachexia or wasting syndrome, multiple sclerosis and complex regional pain syndrome.

It went to the Senate on Jan. 26, 2017 and passed.

"It had gained widespread support around Virginia, and it was critical to a lot of people suffering from serious illnesses," said Vogel in a statement.

Vogel was prepared to make the difficult decision to amend the bill down to cancer and Crohn’s disease if that was what it was going to take to get the bill passed, but she wasn't given the opportunity. When it went to the House Criminal Law Subcommittee two weeks later, the bill died in a tie.

Will we see another medical marijuana bill submitted to the Virginia General Assembly January 2018?

Advocates across the state are pushing for a more comprehensive expansion to the current bill under the campaign #LetDoctorsDecide. The final hearing at the Joint Commission on Health Care was held Tuesday morning, Nov. 21. The commission voted to recommend legislation for #LetDoctorsDecide and will provide its final report on the medical study conducted this year.

"It’s definitely not a party issue,” said Nikki Narduzzi, Staunton Republican and director of Virginia Republicans Against Marijuana Prohibition (RAMP) and secretary for Virginia National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML).

Read Narduzzi's story: Pain over politics: How this Staunton Republican became an advocate for medical marijuana

Nearly all participants at a community social and criminal justice event in Weyers Cave said they'd support more expansive medical marijuana legislation.

Pointing this out, Michele Edwards, who was running for delegate in the 20th district, drew laughs from the audience, when she said "pot brought Republicans and Democrats and Libertarians together."

More: Delegates, candidates talk criminal justice at Weyers Cave forum

Will Hammer, a Libertarian, said, “I’m happy to see Democrats and Republicans finally catch up to Libertarians on medical marijuana."

In three polls conducted by Quinnipiac University, Christopher New University and Virginia Commonwealth University, Virginia polling numbers indicate support is growing for legalizing marijuana for medical purposes and decriminalizing possession of small amounts of recreational marijuana among Virginia Republicans and conservatives.

The Democratic National Committee panel included marijuana law reform on the party’s official platform in 2016.

Virginia polling numbers for legalizing cannabis

Quinnipiac University, Apr. 12, 2017:

"By an overwhelming 92 - 6 percent, voters support allowing adults to use marijuana for medical use if a doctor prescribes it."

83% of Virginia Republicans support allowing adults to use marijuana for medical use if a doctor prescribes it.

97% of Virginia Democrats support allowing adults to use marijuana for medical use if a doctor prescribes it.

96% of Virginia Independents support allowing adults to use marijuana for medical use if a doctor prescribes it.

Christopher New University, Judy Ford Wason Center for Public Policy, Jan. 27, 2015:

69% of Virginia voters support legalizing marijuana for medical purposes

55% of self-identified conservatives support legalizing marijuana for medical purposes

52% of self-identified Republicans support legalizing marijuana for medical purposes

71% of Virginia voters support decriminalizing the possession of small amounts of marijuana

54% of self-identified conservatives support decriminalization

52% of self-identified Republicans support decriminalization

Virginia Commonwealth University, L. Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs Center for Public Policy, Jan. 28, 2016:

71% of Virginia Republicans support reducing the penalty for possession of small amounts of marijuana to a fine of $100 instead of a misdemeanor conviction

62% of Virginia respondents strongly or somewhat agreed that the use of recreational marijuana should be legalized

Nationwide support hits new high

"Voters support 94 – 5 percent 'allowing adults to legally use marijuana for medical purposes if their doctor prescribes it,' also the highest level of support in any national poll conducted by Quinnipiac University was released April 20, 2017.

"Voters oppose 73 – 21 percent government enforcement of federal laws against marijuana in states that have legalized medical or recreational marijuana. No group supports enforcement in states where marijuana is legal."

"Voters support 76 – 18 percent reducing the classification of marijuana as a Schedule 1 drug, the same classification as heroin. Again, all listed groups support this reduction."