virginia

Local lawmakers say it's unlikely the West Virginia Legislature will consider legalizing recreational marijuana in 2018, as the state has more pressing issues. Senate Majority Leader Ryan Ferns, R-Ohio, said a move to make the use of cannabis lawful might not even prove financially beneficial...

The felony conspiracy to sell/distribute marijuana charge against Virginia Tech linebacker Tavante Beckett was amended to misdemeanor possession in Montgomery County District Court on Thursday, potentially paving a way for his return to the Hokies football team. The sophomore, who was...

Virginia farmers attending a workshop on the regulation, production, processing and distribution of marijuana during the Virginia Farm Bureau Federation Annual Convention in Williamsburg were told there are three ways to create a legal market for growing marijuana. "Change the federal status...

According to "The Columbia History of the World," the oldest relic of human industry, a small piece of hemp fabric, dates back to approximately 8,000 B.C. Presidents George Washington and Thomas Jefferson grew hemp and, at times, its growth was mandatory to supply the nation with the raw...

In January 2017, at the Virginia General Assembly, Republican state Sen. Jill Vogel submitted medical marijuana bill SB 1298 to the Senate and House. The bill listed 12 conditions that would benefit from cannabidiol or THC-A oil treatment: cancer, glaucoma, HIV, AIDS, Hepatitis C...

Did you know that Virginia had the nation's first marijuana law? That's right, back in 1623, planters were required to grow it because it was needed for ropes and sails. Thomas Jefferson and George Washington were among those growing the non-psychoactive strain of hemp (Reportedly, they may...

One of the state’s most powerful lawmakers is planning to file legislation in the upcoming General Assembly session to “take steps toward decriminalizing” the possession of small amounts of marijuana. Senate Majority Leader Thomas K. Norment Jr., R-James City, said at a Virginia Crime...

The University of Virginia is researching hemp and medical marijuana in collaboration with a plant biotechnology company. Virginia biology professor Michael Timko says the research looks to renew the state as a leading producer of hemp and restore land depleted by tobacco and mining. The...

The University of Virginia has completed its first successful harvest of hemp plants in collaboration with a private plant biotechnology company. The harvest – coming after the first year of a three-year, $1.1 million sponsored research agreement between UVa and biotech company 22nd Century...

The West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources, Bureau for Public Health has announced a medical cannabis public online survey to gather information from patients who may be interested in obtaining medical cannabis. "This is a non-scientific, anonymous survey to hear from West...

Here's some market advice: Now might be a good time to invest in hemp. It wasn't that long ago that the mere mention of hemp – a strain of cannabis which looks like marijuana but lacks the "buzz" – produced giggles. Now it produces policy papers. Both the Democratic and Republican...

Tucked behind acres of corn, you wouldn't believe what your eyes see in a small inlet of farmland. It looks like something that shouldn't be there. It smells like, well, like a sweet version of pot. But, it's not marijuana. Hemp is being grown locally by two farmers, Glenn Rodes and Brian...

The West Virginia Farmers Cooperative welcomed a number of volunteers and interested people from five states to the Old Sweet Springs Resort in Monroe County Aug. 25 to help harvest hemp and to learn more about its uses. The project was led by Don Smith II, founder, and J. Morgan Leach, CEO, of...

Researchers across the state are trying to figure out how to turn an old Virginia crop into a new, viable one. Industrial hemp cultivation was once common in Virginia but has been banned for the past 80 years. To discuss its potential, a first-of-its-kind Industrial Hemp Field Day was held...

Sen. Frank Ruff, Sen. Rosalyn Dance and Del. Tommy Wright joined approximately 200 interested Virginia residents who attended a summit held at Virginia State University Thursday devoted to hemp production and processing in Virginia. "It appears to be a crop that could be an additional source...

Thomas Jefferson thought it necessary to "the wealth and protection of the country." Native American tribes grew it for centuries. And the U.S. government encouraged farmers to grow it "for victory" during World War II. But today, a plot of hemp could land its owner in jail. Since 1970, hemp...

With 950 acres of crop ready for the reaper last year, Gregory Clark had a problem: finding enough John Deere combine harvesters — machines designed to harvest grain — to collect it all. Standing in front of dozens of farmers and other interested parties at Virginia State University's...

It takes a lot of light and power to grow a marijuana plant, and legalizing recreational cannabis in West Virginia could result in a boon to the state's coal and power industries, according to Delegate Shawn Fluharty. Fluharty, D-Ohio, was one of among 22 members of a delegation traveling...

Thanks to this region, the effort to decriminalize marijuana in Virginia just got a major push. A Hampton Roads chapter of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws launched this week. Dozens of people showed up for the kickoff event in Virginia Beach. This will be the...

A group of 22 West Virginia business and government leaders has returned from a fact-finding mission to Colorado to learn best practices from Colorado leaders involved in that state's medical cannabis industry. West Virginia approved legalization of medical cannabis, with implementation...