Today with the stroke of Gov. Ralph Northam’s pen, Virginia became the first state in the South and the 16th state in the nation to legalize marijuana. We stand with Marijuana Justice, and as a coalition, we believe there is still work to be done.

Chauvin’s conviction sends the message that police violence must end, however, it doesn’t erase the systems across the country that uphold race-based policing and oppress Black people.

The ACLU of Virginia, Marijuana Justice, RISE for Youth, and Justice Forward Virginia applaud the governor for understanding that justice delayed is justice denied as he proposed legalizing small amounts of marijuana on July 1, 2021.

Our Commonwealth has executed more people than any other state under the guise of justice, but it is a racist, barbaric practice. And thankfully, it ends today.

We grieve for the lives lost and for the fear and terror that members of AAPI communities feel at this moment. Such violence and the discrimination and othering visited on the AAPI community offend our values that center people, justice and equality in our work.