Sens. Adam P. Ebbin, D-Alexandria, and L. Louise Lucas, D-Portsmouth, are among lawmakers in recent years who have introduced decriminalization bills. The issue hasn’t made its way out of legislative committee, however. This year, legislation was put on hold because of the likely study.

Both Democratic candidates for governor in the June 13 primary — Lt. Gov. Ralph S. Northam and former Rep. Tom Perriello — have called for decriminalization of small amounts of marijuana and tweeted praise of the decision for a study Wednesday.

Sen. Mark D. Obenshain, R-Rockingham, a member of the crime commission, said he was fine doing a study but still had some concerns about marijuana’s effect on teens and adolescents.

He acknowledged Virginia is behind other states in looking at the issue.

“We get to learn from the experience of other states — look at the things they did right and things they did wrong,” he said.

“The national trend is certainly leaning” to decriminalization, he said.