Youth advocates warn higher marijuana fine could deepen racial disparities

By: Markus Schmidt

Outlets: Virginia Mercury

Published: September 28, 2026

Words: 1,070

Last Updated: 2 weeks, 3 days ago

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Youth advocates are urging Virginia lawmakers to reconsider stiffer penalties for public marijuana use before the state opens its legal adult-use market next summer, warning that the changes could place a disproportionate burden on young people, their families and Black communities.

The maximum civil penalty for consuming or offering marijuana in public is set to rise from $25 to $250 on July 1, 2027, the same day retail sales are scheduled to begin. …

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