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A bill to create a legal framework for adult-use retail cannabis sales in Virginia passed through the Senate Rehabilitation and Social Services committee last week, Cardinal News reports. The proposal was referred to the House Finance and Appropriations Committee.
The measure would allow the state Cannabis Control Authority (CCA) to begin issuing adult-use cannabis licenses on September 1, but would not permit legal sales to commence until May 1, 2026.
Sen. Aaron Rouse (D) Virginia Beach, during a presentation of the bill, told the Senate panel that the legislation “prioritizes public safety in creating a well-regulated marketplace that keeps adult products out of the hands of kids.”
“The safety and security of all Virginians is a top priority of this legislative body and in recent years we have seen an unchecked proliferation of illegal and unregulated marijuana stores. This has put Virginians at risk.” — Rouse via Cardinal News
Virginia lawmakers passed adult-use reforms in 2021, during the administration of Democratic Gov. Ralph Northam; however Republican Glenn Youngkin was elected in 2022 and has vowed to not allow legal sales to progress during his time in office. Republicans in the House of Delegates have also pushed back on allowing legal sales, blocking legislation to create a retail licensing framework in 2022 and 2023.
Youngkin vetoed a similar bill last year and the Senate sustained the action.
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TG joined Ganjapreneur in 2014 as a news writer and began hosting the Ganjapreneur podcast in 2016. He is based in upstate New York, where he also teaches media studies at a local university.
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“}]] [[{“value”:”A bill to create a legal framework for adult-use retail cannabis sales in Virginia passed through the Senate Rehabilitation and Social Services committee last week, Cardinal News reports. The proposal was referred to the House Finance and Appropriations Committee.
The measure would allow the sta”}]] Read More
