Del. Englin Calls for Marijuana Study

A northern Virginia lawmaker is proposing the state look at selling marijuana at liquor stores.

Del. David Englin (D-45th) is calling for a study to look at the potential costs and benefits of such sales. You can read the full text of his bill here.

The delegate released the following statement to Patch regarding the bill:

“A surprising number of constituents over the years have asked me why, rather than raising taxes, Virginia doesn't just legalize marijuana, regulate it, and sell it in our ABC stores. Selling hard liquor through ABC stores brings in roughly $110 million to $140 million per year for education, health care, public safety, and other core services. Marijuana might do the same.

“Given that we need more revenue and tax increases are a non-starter for the Republican majority in the General Assembly, I thought that now would be a good time to try to find out how much revenue this might bring in. However, I want to be very clear that this legislation would not legalize marijuana. It would simply conduct a study to determine how much revenue potential is out there so we can have an informed and intelligent public policy conversation in the future.”

The Virginia Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control operates the state’s liquor stores.

Englin’s bill is currently awaiting a vote in the Rules Committee. He has also introduced a bill calling for the governor to petition the Drug Enforcement Administration to reschedule marijuana from a schedule I to a schedule II drug.

Learn more about Englin's legislative agenda .