(WFXR) — Reactions are pouring in after Governor Glenn Youngkin vetoed a bill that would have allowed the recreational sales of marijuana to begin next year.
In Governor Youngkin’s veto statement, he says he opposed the legalization of retail marijuana in part due to what other states experienced. He says they have seen quote adverse effects on children’s and adolescents’ health and safety, increased gang activity and violent crime.
However, one expert and advocate says the governor’s statement is not true.
“Governor Youngkin has just shown Virginia exactly how out of touch he is with the widely accepted science and policy research on cannabis research in the U.S.,” said Development Director at NORML, JM Pedini.
Pedini who also serves as the executive director of Virginia NORML, an organization for the reform of marijuana laws, says data shows the number of high schoolers who use marijuana has decreased in the last decade even with legalization. They said in Colorado, Oregon and Washington, the states saw improvement in police clearance for violent crimes.
“The illicit market is controlling cannabis in the commonwealth, and that in no way allows the state to provide for public or consumer safety,” Pedini said. “The best way for a state to ensure public policy goals are met for public health and safety is through regulation and this bill would have done just that.”
College students tell WFXR that regulation would be a concern or them as well.
“I don’t think that it would necessarily be bad and a bad influence on my generation, but I do think it should be restricted and not be easily accessible,” said Noah Knauf, a student at Virginia Tech.
Some say it’s better to buy the drug from a store than off the streets where it could be laced.
“I know there are some people who would go in the middle of the night and get it from a dealer or something,” said Lola Banks, another VT student. “If it’s going to happen at least do it in a safe controlled environment.”
While others see both sides.
“Some people are on it medically, but I feel like an overuse of it could be a problem,” said Chu Kwuma, another freshman at Virginia Tech.
Similar bills proposed in 2022 and 2023 also failed to pass the state legislature. The general assembly will reconvene next month, where they’ll have a chance to override Governor Youngkins’ vetoes. However, because both bills passed along party lines, Democrats are unlikely to have the votes to do that.
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