The 2021 Virginia General Assembly session adjourned on March 1 and they returned to Richmond for the one-day “veto session” on April 7. Despite the challenges of a virtual session and not being able to communicate face-to-face with legislators, it was still a very successful legislative session for us. We had a lot of legislative victories and member engagement and par … [Read more...] about Legislative Update
By Lauren Schmitt
Commonwealth Strategy Group
Legislative
Legislative Update
Medical Marijuana Legislation Update
By James A. Pickral
Partner, Commonwealth Strategy Group
The legalization of recreational marijuana was a major topic of the 2021 Virginia General Assembly. Governor Northam announced that legalization would be a major policy objective of his Administration late in 2020 and subsequently crafted legislation to that effect.
The bill was carried in the House of Delegates by Delegate Charniele Herring and in the Senate by Senator … [Read more...] about Medical Marijuana Legislation Update
By James A. Pickral
Partner, Commonwealth Strategy Group
Opioid Safety
Delegate Betsy B. Carr, 69th District, Virginia House of Delegates Virginia, like much of the country, has battled an opioid epidemic for a long time, and, unfortunately, another consequence of COVID-19 is an increase in deaths by overdose. Staying at home, a lack of social interaction, loss of jobs, financial, and healthcare-related stress all weigh heavy on mental health … [Read more...] about Opioid Safety
Meet Your Legislator: Delegate Schuyler VanValkenburg
72nd District • History and Civics Teacher at Glen Allen High School This last year has posed unusual and enormous challenges to education policy here in Virginia, as the readers of this journal are undoubtedly and sadly very aware. School nurses and health care practitioners have been heroes in both the school-specific problems we face and, in their willingness to step up … [Read more...] about Meet Your Legislator: Delegate Schuyler VanValkenburg
2021’s Virtual Legislative Session was Successful
By Lauren Schmitt
Commonwealth Strategy Group
The 2021 Virginia General Assembly session officially came to an end on March 1. Despite the challenges of a virtual session and not being able to communicate face-to-face with legislators, it was still a very successful legislative session for us. We were able to defeat a number of bills that would’ve been harmful to the House of Medicine.
Our biggest victory this session w … [Read more...] about 2021’s Virtual Legislative Session was Successful
By Lauren Schmitt
Commonwealth Strategy Group