Virginia Attorney General hires the state’s first cannabis attorney

Virginia Attorney General Mark R. Herring is currently seeking applications for an attorney who will become the first full-time cannabis attorney in the Commonwealth of Virginia, according to a news release dated July 19.

The job description includes serving as General Counsel of the Virginia Cannabis Control Authority and assisting other Virginia state agencies with cannabis regulations and laws. Attorney General Herring supports recent changes to the state’s cannabis laws.

“By decriminalizing and now legalizing simple possession, we have taken the most important and urgent steps to stop the damage caused by the cannabis ban,” said Attorney General Herring. “Now comes the hard work of building a safe, stable regulatory system that protects public health and the environment and ensures a safe, fair and equitable market that promotes opportunities for the communities most harmed by the war on drugs of the past . I am hiring a dedicated attorney to lead the Commonwealth’s efforts because I am committed to getting this right and ensuring we keep Virginia at the forefront of the national effort to have a more equitable, fairer and more reasonable system of dealing with to create cannabis. “

Potential applicants to serve as Virginia cannabis attorneys must be licensed or licensed with the Virginia State Bar and should have experience in business law, litigation experience in both state and federal courts, government agency, and a thorough understanding of state and federal regulation of controlled substances.

Involvement of Attorney General Herring

Hering has consistently proven itself to be an ally of the cannabis industry. Attorney General Herring helped establish a legal, regulated adult cannabis system in Virginia during the 2021 General Assembly, according to his announcement.

He called for the decriminalization of small quantities of cannabis and the addressing of previous convictions as well as a move towards legal and regulated use by adults.

He also cited the illogical nature of possession criminal convictions, the cost and social costs of enforcing the current system, and the way the war on drugs affects people and color communities.

Attorney General Herring again showed support when 2018 data showed a record number of arrests for cannabis possession. In December 2019, Herring hosted a policy-focused cannabis summit for policymakers in Virginia, attended by experts from attorneys general, state agencies, and legislative operations in states that have legalized cannabis, as well as experts on cannabis policy.

Adult cannabis in Virginia

As of July 1, adults 21 and older can legally use and possess cannabis in the Commonwealth of Virginia. The new bill was enforced from a bill passed in the Virginia Legislature in April and promptly signed by Governor Ralph Northam.

However, the state-regulated cannabis market will not open to trade until January 1, 2024. The law made Virginia the first southern state to lift the ban on recreational cannabis use.

“Starting July 1, adults 21 and older in the Commonwealth of Virginia will be able to legally use and possess cannabis. In addition, the Cannabis Control Authority was launched on July 1, but it won’t finalize cannabis regulations or accept applications for businesses until 2023, ”the agency stated on its website. The new law stems from a bill passed by the Virginia legislature back in April and promptly signed by the state’s Democratic governor Ralph Northam.

Now is the time for someone to take on the role of the state’s first full-time cannabis attorney. Check with qualified people whether you are doing justice to the new position.

Interested applicants should apply online at jobs.virginia.gov and can find the position here or search for the keyword “cannabis” or select “Attorney General” from the list of government agencies.