On February 10, the Virginia Society of Addiction Medicine (VASAM) submitted a letter providing conditional support for SB2, which would decriminalize cannabis possession in Virginia. In its letter, VASAM stressed that decriminalization should be paired with drug education or assessment for substance use disorder and referral to substance use treatment.

The letter drew attention to efforts by other states, such as Rhode Island and Maryland, to intertwine decriminalization of cannabis with drug assessments or education. Such policies can ensure that those who may be suffering from substance use disorder do not slip through the cracks of the health care system and receive the treatment they need.

Read the bill here.

Read the letter here.