Rozia Henson House Bill 26 Marijuana Resentencing Measure Rejected in House on Senate Substitute

Sep 9, 2026, 6:00 PM ET

RICHMOND — The Virginia House of Delegates delivered a resounding rejection to the Senate’s version of House Bill 26 on March 12, voting 0-96 against the substitute amid concerns over costs and protections for public safety. The measure, which creates a temporary process for courts to review sentences for certain pre-July 1, 2021, marijuana-related felony convictions, has navigated a contentious path through the General Assembly, highlighting lawmakers’ commitment to measured criminal justice reforms.

Introduced by Delegate Rozia Henson of District 19, House Bill 26 targets individuals still incarcerated or on probation or community supervision as of July 1, 2026, for felonies involving possession, manufacture, selling, giving, distribution, transportation, or delivery of marijuana under specific statutes like Sections 18.2-248, 18.2-248.1, and others. The bill excludes those with concurrent convictions for acts of violence as defined in Section 19.2-297.1, ensuring that only non-violent offenders qualify.

Under the House committee substitute, courts must schedule hearings—by January 1, 2027, for primary marijuana cases and by April 1, 2027, for those bundled with other non-violent offenses. Agencies including the Department of Corrections, local jails, and the Department of Juvenile Justice will identify approximately 1,161 eligible individuals by September 1, 2026: 248 incarcerated and 913 on supervision. Clerks notify judges, who set hearings where the Commonwealth participates fully.

Judges consider marijuana’s legalization status and presume modification—reducing sentences, vacating them, or ending supervision—unless prosecutors demonstrate incompatibility with public interest. Decisions come within 30 days, with written explanations for denials provided to all parties. Modifications cannot exceed original terms, and outcomes are largely final, barring legal errors. Clerks forward orders to sentencing commissions and police.

The bill’s journey underscores fiscal discipline. House Courts of Justice reported it unanimously 19-0 on January 28, and Appropriations advanced it 16-6 on February 11. The House passed the substitute 63-34 on February 17. In the Senate, Courts of Justice reported 9-6 on March 2, and Finance and Appropriations 10-4 on March 9, before passage 21-19 on March 11 and 12.

Multiple fiscal impact statements from the Department of Planning and Budget detail a one-time FY 2027 cost of about $1.7 million to $1.9 million in General Fund expenditures. Circuit courts face $968,274 for counsel at 1,161 hearings; appeals add $330,600 to the Court of Appeals and $113,100 to the Supreme Court. The Department of Corrections needs $151,627 for temporary staff to compile lists, while the Attorney General’s office requires $124,819 for half-positions. These figures assume full indigency petitions and 15% appeals, emphasizing the controlled scope.

Lawmakers have praised the sunset provision expiring July 1, 2029, as a safeguard against indefinite burdens. The automatic identification by corrections agencies streamlines administration without broad amnesty, preserving judicial oversight. Prosecutors’ key role in hearings allows case-by-case scrutiny, prioritizing community protection.

The House’s firm stance against the Senate substitute reflects priorities of limited government intervention and taxpayer accountability. With 314 incarcerated and over 1,000 on supervision potentially affected, the process balances equity for outdated convictions with rigorous standards. As the session nears its end, House Bill 26’s fate hangs in conference committee negotiations, where these principles will shape final language.

Supporters note the bill addresses sentences now misaligned with law, applying only to pre-legalization acts. Bipartisan committee votes signal broad recognition of targeted relief’s merits, while opposition tallies in floor votes and the substitute rejection affirm demands for ironclad public safety and cost controls. Virginia’s corrections system, strained by legacy cases, stands to gain efficiency from resolutions, freeing resources for serious threats.

The measure’s narrow focus—excluding violence-linked cases and capping at original sentences—embodies prudent reform. As debates continue, the emphasis remains on evidence-based adjustments that uphold law and order without undue risk.

Email the Richmond City Council:
Andrew Breton, andrew.breton@rva.gov,
Katherine Jordan, katherine.jordan@rva.gov,
Kenya Gibson, kenya.gibson@rva.gov,
Sarah Abubaker, sarah.abubaker@rva.gov,
Stephanie Lynch, stephanie.lynch@rva.gov,
Ellen Robertson, ellen.robertson@rva.gov,
Cynthia Newbille, cynthia.newbille@rva.gov,
Reva Trammell, reva.trammell@rva.gov,
Nicole Jones, nicole.jones@rva.gov,

Email the Richmond School Board:
Matthew Percival, mpercival@rvaschools.net,
Kathryn Ricard, kricard@rvaschools.net,
Ali Faruk, afaruk@rvaschools.net,
Wesley Hedgepeth, whedgepeth@rvaschools.net,
Stephanie Rizzi, srizzi@rvaschools.net,
Anne Holton, aholton@rvaschools.net,
Cheryl Burke, cburke2@rvaschools.net,
Emmett Jafari, ejafari@rvaschools.net,
Shavonda Fernandez, sdixon@rvaschools.net,

Richmond Virginia House of Delegates Virginia Senate Aaron Rouse Abigail Spanberger Adam Ebbin Adele McClure Alex Askew Alfonso Lopez Ali Faruk Amy Laufer Andrew Breton Angelia Williams Graves Anne Holton Anne Tata Atoosa Reaser Barbara Favola Barry Knight Betsy Carr Bill DeSteph Bill Wiley Bonita Anthony Briana Sewell Bryce Reeves Buddy Fowler Budget Charlie Schmidt Charniele Herring Cheryl Burke Chris Runion Christie Craig Christopher Head Cia Price Cliff Hayes Creigh Deeds Cynthia Newbille Dan Helmer Danica Roem Danny Diggs David Marsden David Reid David Suetterlein Debra Gardner Delores McQuinn Delores Oates Department of Corrections Destiny LeVere Bolling Don Scott Elizabeth Bennett-Parker Elizabeth Guzmán Ellen McLaughlin Ellen Robertson Emily Jordan Emmett Jafari Eric Phillips Eric Zehr Felony Garrett McGuire Glen Sturtevant Gretchen Bulova Hillary Kent Holly Seibold House of Delegates Irene Shin Israel O'Quinn Jackie Glass Jas Jeet Singh Jason Ballard Jay Leftwich Jeion Ward Jennifer Boysko Jennifer Carroll Foy Jeremy McPike Jessica Anderson John McAuliff Joseph McNamara Josh Thomas Joshua Cole Justin Pence Juvenile Kacey Carnegie Kannan Srinivasan Karen Hamilton Karen Keys-Gamarra Karrie Delaney Katherine Jordan Kathryn Ricard Kathy Tran Katrina Callsen Keith Hodges Kelly Convirs-Fowler Kenya Gibson Kimberly Pope Adams Lamont Bagby Lashrecse Aird Laura Cohen Lawmakers Lee Ware Leslie Mehta Lily Franklin Lindsey Dougherty Louise Lucas Luke Torian Luther Cifers Madison Whittle Mamie Locke Marcus Simon Margaret Franklin Marijuana Mark Downey Mark Obenshain Mark Peake Marty Martinez Matthew Percival May Nivar Michael Feggans Michael Jones Michael Webert Michelle Maldonado Mike Cherry Mitchell Cornett Nadarius Clark Nicole Cole Nicole Jones Otto Wachsmann Patrick Hope Paul Krizek Phil Hernandez Phillip Scott Police Rae Cousins Reva Trammell Richard Stuart Richmond Richmond City Council Richmond School Board Rip Sullivan Robert Bloxom Rodney Willett Rozia Henson Russet Perry Ryan McDougle Saddam Salim Sam Rasoul Sarah Abubaker Schuyler VanValkenburg Scott Surovell Scott Wyatt Senate Shavonda Fernandez Shelly Simonds Stacey Carroll Stella Pekarsky Stephanie Lynch Stephanie Rizzi supreme court Tammy Mulchi Tara Durant Terry Austin Terry Kilgore Tim Griffin Timmy French Todd Pillion Tom Garrett Tommy Wright Tony Wilt Transportation Travis Hackworth Virgil Thornton Virginia Virginia House Virginia House of Delegates Virginia Senate Vivian Watts voting Wendell Walker Wesley Hedgepeth Will Davis Will Morefield William Stanley Wren Williams