examiner.com |
All those bottles, and not a single bag of weed. But that could change at Virginia liquor stores under a new plan suggested by Delegate David Englin |
At least one local lawmaker believes Virginia should explore the idea of selling marijuana at state-run liquor stores.
Delegate David Englin, a Democrat, is calling for a study to look at the potential benefits, reports NBC Washington. Liquor sales generate millions of dollars of revenues for the commonwealth every year.
Part of the legislation reads, “As society changes, products that were deemed illegal at one time are made legal and even sold by stores that are operated by government agencies in the attempt to control the sale of the products,” reports Katie Pyzyk at ARL now.
TBD |
Virginia’s ABC liquor stores like this one might be selling something less harmful than alcohol in the future |
If the measure is approved, the public would be allows to buy cannabis at liquor stores operated by the Virginia Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC stores).
The government has been able to manage liquor sales just fine, according to Englin, who pointed out the same could be possible with marijuana.
If Englin’s plan moves forward, members of Virginia’s House and Senate would work with other experts to determine a dollar amount associated with legalizing marijuana sales, reports Ken Molestina at 9 News Now.
Virginia’s ABC stores are owned and operated by the state, and like the alcohol they sell there, the marijuana would also be regulated by state laws.
Englin said Virginia needs the money to fund what he called “woefully underfunded services.” He mentioned health care, schools, roads, and public safety as areas that could use the revenue.
ARL now |
Delegate David Englin said Virginia needs the money to fund what he called “woefully underfunded services” |
The Commonwealth owns and operates more than 330 ABC stores, and, according to Englin, gets $140 million in revenue from liquor sales at them. That money goes into the state’s general fund.
If the study is approved, its findings will be presented in the 2013 General Assembly session.
“This idea … is the kind of forward thinking and progressive measures that need to happen,” said reader Keith Wood in NBC Washington’s comment thread.
“How did a so called enlightened, democratic, progressive culture get to declaring a PLANT that has never killed anyone, illegal, while Alcohol, Tobacco, and Rx Drugs kill hundreds of thousands a year?”
“Maybe they can grow it on the same land Thomas Jefferson and George Washington grew it on almost 300 years ago,” offered reader Wil Morris.