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Hashmi outside the Capitol on a very cold day.
Hashmi answers questions
State Sen. Ghazala Hashmi, D-Chesterfield, did an “Ask Me Anything” on Reddit this morning. This is where someone takes questions from Reddit users.
Hashmi is seeking the Democratic nomination for lieutenant governor.
Q:What are your thoughts about Southside Virginia? It really feels like the politicians that get elected down are completely inept (John McGuire) or do things that would end up harming this area (like how Gov Youngkin killed a battery plant to be built outside of Danville in 2023) Do you have any ideas on how this area can be improved?
Hashmi: Some of my opponents have said that the Lieutenant Governorship is a part time job, and that they plan to continue their own full time jobs while holding the position. I disagree. I believe that one of the most important jobs of the Lieutenant Governor is to hear from all Virginians, as the only legislator with a vote who represents the whole Commonwealth. I’m committed to holding regular town halls, community forums, etc throughout all of Virginia, including rural areas. I am also committed to ensuring that we respond immediately to the concerns that are affecting our underresourced communities by incentivizing economic development, developing more workforce training, re-instating internship opportunities and remote work with our state agencies so that we see growth of jobs in these areas.
Q: Are you for or against creating a regulated recreational marijuana marketplace?
Hashmi: I support legalization of marijuana; legalization allows us to regulate, ensure product safety, and manage the market. Necessary regulations include licensing requirements for growing plants, product safety, and sales. Regulations are also critical for preventing sales to minors and for authorizing numbers of plants for exclusive personal use. Additionally, a critical aspect of our cannabis legalization efforts must be to ensure equity in the process so that the communities disproportionately affected by the criminal justice system are a strong part of the regulated and legal retail process. Revenues generated by the cannabis industry should also be directed into the communities that have suffered the greatest by the mass incarceration of individuals for minor possession and use.
Q: What are your plans to help insulate us from the damage caused by the current presidential administration?
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