Section 2.2-2499.8 - Cannabis Equity Reinvestment FundThere is hereby created in the state treasury a special nonreverting fund to be known as the Cannabis Equity Reinvestment Fund, referred to in this section as "the Fund." The Fund shall be established on the books of the Comptroller. All funds appropriated for such purpose and any gifts, donations, grants, bequests, and other funds received on its behalf shall be paid into the state treasury and credited to the Fund. Interest earned on moneys in the Fund shall remain in the Fund and be credited to it. Any moneys remaining in the Fund, including interest thereon, at the end of each fiscal year shall not revert to the general fund but shall remain in the Fund. Moneys in the Fund shall be used solely for the purposes of:
1. Supporting persons, families, and communities historically and disproportionately targeted and affected by drug enforcement;2. Providing scholarship opportunities and educational and vocational resources for historically marginalized persons, including persons in foster care, who have been adversely impacted by substance use individually, in their families, or in their communities;3. Awarding grants to support workforce development, mentoring programs, job training and placement services, apprenticeships, and reentry services that serve persons and communities historically and disproportionately targeted by drug enforcement.4. Contributing to the Virginia Indigent Defense Commission established pursuant to § 19.2-163.01; and5. Contributing to the Virginia Cannabis Equity Business Loan Fund established pursuant to § 4.1-1501.Expenditures and disbursements from the Fund shall be made by the State Treasurer on warrants issued by the Comptroller upon written request signed by the Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.
2021, Sp. Sess. I, cc. 550, 551.Added by Acts 2021SP1 c. 551,§ 1, eff. 7/1/2021.Added by Acts 2021SP1 c. 550,§ 1, eff. 7/1/2021.