Cannabis plants grow inside a medical marijuana dispensary in Richmond, Va., known as gLeaf.

The Virginia Legislature voted to pass a bill legalizing recreational marijuana in the state.

Cannabis plants grow inside a medical marijuana dispensary in Richmond, Va., known as gLeaf.

The Virginia Legislature voted to pass a bill legalizing recreational marijuana in the state.

Virginia's Democratic-controlled Legislature passed a bill legalizing the possession of small amounts of marijuana on Wednesday, making it the 16th state to take the step.

"Today, with the Governor's amendments, we will have made tremendous progress in ending the targeting of Black and brown Virginians through selective enforcement of marijuana prohibition by this summer," she said in a statement.

While it will be legal to grow up to four marijuana plants beginning July 1, it could be several years before the state begins licensing recreational marijuana retailers.

In the absence of retail sales, some members of law enforcement said it's not clear what a container of marijuana will be.

Mike Thomas, a Black hemp cultivator based in Richmond who served jail time for marijuana possession, said those entrepreneurs deserved special attention