State Sen. Adam P. Ebbin, D-Alexandria, has introduced legislation to decriminalize simple marijuana possession in Virginia.

Ebbin’s Senate Bill 686 would decriminalize marijuana possession and eliminate the 30-day jail sentence and the current $500 criminal fine.

A violator would be subject to a maximum $100 civil penalty for simple marijuana possession.

The bill also would reduce the criminal penalties for pot distribution and possession with intent to distribute.

The bill would create a rebuttable presumption that a person who grows no more than six plants is growing marijuana for personal use and not for distribution, among other changes.

Ebbin, a longtime advocate for decriminalization of marijuana possession, was endorsed by the National Organization for Reform of Marijuana Laws in his bid for Congress last spring.

Ebbin’s bill has been referred to the Senate Courts Committee.

“I don’t know of similar legislation being introduced in the Senate before,” Ebbin said in an email. He said he hopes the committee will be open to a full discussion.