The governor of Virginia suggested changes on Wednesday to bills about police reform and marijuana. The bill is set to prevent police from searching people or seizing property based solely on the smell of marijuana. Governor Ralph Northam (D) isn’t asking lawmakers to amend the marijuana odor provisions of the broader proposal to reform policies for law enforcement searches. Instead, according to a press release sent by his office, he is suggesting an unrelated change to ensure police “can initiate a traffic stop when an individual is driving at night without the use of both headlights and/or without the use of both brake lights.” The House and Senate will now consider the amendment and if the governor’s proposal is adopted by lawmakers without changes, the legislation will be formally enacted without needing his signature. Otherwise, it will come back to his desk for action.
Kyle Jaeger, Marijuana Moment, 10/21/2020 12:56:34