VIRGINIA – The Virginia General Assembly convened on Friday and passed multiple bills that could impact Virginians across the Commonwealth, including a bill legalizing marijuana. Similar bills passed both the House and Senate after some debate. Both chambers also passed bills to abolish the death penalty. A Senate bill that would have prohibited someone convicted of domestic assault from buying, owning or transporting a firearm failed a vote. All bills passed by both chambers then hit Gov.

The US Food and Drug Administration announced on Tuesday it was allowing the marketing through the modified risk tobacco product pathway. It's the first time the agency has allowed product marketing of this type. It's less messy that some other forms of smokeless tobacco, because the user doesn't have to spit the used tobacco out. "All tobacco products are potentially harmful and addictive, and those who do not use tobacco products should continue to refrain from their use," the FDA said. It had to show that snus wouldn't encourage people who don't use tobacco products to start using them.