Virginia legislature votes to abolish the death penalty, legalize marijuana

The Virginia legislature voted on Friday to abolish the death penalty in the state, putting an end to what is reportedly what is the second-highest number of executions out of any state in the country. 

The measure, when likely signed by Democratic Gov. Ralph Northam, will make Virginia the 23rd state to abolish executions. 

"The repeal of capital punishment in Virginia takes our Commonwealth out of the business of determining life and death and ends a practice that a majority of Virginia oppose," Virginia House Speaker Eileen Filler-Corn said in a statement

Virginia lawmakers this week also voted to legalize marijuana in the state, making it legal for adults to consume cannabis for recreational purposes.