Virginia’s four major law enforcement associations are lining up against a piece of legislation that would legalize a cannabis retail market in the commonwealth.
One Republican joined all Democrats yesterday in passing that bill through the House of Delegates 52-48. Speaking in opposition, Buckingham Delegate Tom Garrett Junior said on the floor that his only hang up is the fact that marijuana is still criminalized federally.

After the vote, the Virginia Sheriff’s Association, Virginia State Police Association, Virginia Association of Chiefs of Police, and the Virginia Campus Law Enforcement Administrators released a joint letter blasting the move.
The group argues that statistics show legalization has not led to a drop in drug-related crime, but they say it will lead to a rise in mental health problems.