Virginia Senate passes bill allowing expungement of first-time marijuana charges

Published: Feb 12, 2018, 4:41 pm • Updated: Feb 12, 2018, 4:41 pm

By The Associated Press

RICHMOND, Va. — The Virginia Senate has passed a bill that would allow people charged for the first time with possession of marijuana to later have the charge expunged.

The Richmond Times-Dispatch reports the vote Monday on Republican Sen. Tommy Norment’s bill was 38-2.

Norment previously said he was in favor of decriminalizing small amounts of marijuana but opted not to introduce a bill that went that far, saying he didn’t think it could pass.

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He said the bill that advanced Monday “makes a substantial step forward.”

The newspaper reports the bill would require an expungement fee. That money would pay for a database of those who had charges expunged, so people couldn’t use the benefit more than once.

The measure must still pass the House before it goes to the governor.

Information from: Richmond Times-Dispatch

Related: Here’s how much Virginia taxpayers are spending to jail marijuana users