Virginia paves the way for marijuana sales, assisted suicide as Assembly deadline looms

Virginia legislators addressed hundreds of bills as the deadline by which all legislation except budget bills must clear its originating chamber arrived.

This year's session marks the third since the start of Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin's term. But it's the first since he's taken office with Democrats in full control of the statehouse after they flipped the House of Delegates in last year's elections.

Democrats have used their majorities to fend off Republican efforts to repeal previously enacted priorities, including voting access protections and environmental laws. And they're advancing new initiatives — including stricter proposed limits on firearms and legislation to increase the minimum wage — that could face the prospect of a Youngkin veto.