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Both chambers of Virginia’s state legislature on Wednesday passed identical bills to legalize recreational cannabis sales in the state, sending the measures to the desk of Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin. The Virginia House of Delegates voted 53-44 to approve SB 970, a bill approved by the state Senate late last month. In the Senate, meanwhile, lawmakers passed the House version of the bill (HB 2485) by a vote of 21-18, according to a report from online cannabis news outlet Marijuana Moment.
If signed into law, the bills would legalize the purchase of up to 2.5 ounces of recreational cannabis by adults aged 21 and older. Sales of recreational marijuana would begin no sooner than May 1, 2026, although regulators could begin issuing the required licenses to sell recreational marijuana as soon as September of this year. Retail sales of adult-use cannabis would be subject to a tax of up to 11.625%.
Recreational cannabis producers and retailers would be licensed by the Virginia Cannabis Control Authority. Local governments would be permitted to ban recreational cannabis sales in their jurisdictions only through a vote by residents.
The bill limits recreational cannabis sales to the state’s existing medical cannabis operators until September 1, 2030, according to a report from MJBizDaily. Each operator would be allowed to open up to five recreational cannabis shops, which must be located at existing medical cannabis dispensary sites.
Cannabis Possession Has Been Legal In Virginia Since 2021
The Virginia legislature legalized the possession and limited cultivation of recreational marijuana for adults in 2021. Later that year, however, Republicans blocked a reauthorization vote needed to legalize retail sales of recreational cannabis after the GOP gained a majority in the House of Delegates. Unregulated shops selling cannabis have since opened to fill the void and supply an illegal marijuana market worth an estimated $3 billion per year.
“In recent years, we’ve seen the unchecked proliferation of illegal and unregulated marijuana stores that has put Virginians at risk as unlicensed drug dealers sell billions of dollars of untested and untaxed products, and frequently to children,” Rouse said on the Senate floor before last month’s vote on SB 970, according to a report from online cannabis news outlet Marijuana Moment. The senator add that the legislation would “ensure that products are tested for safety, accurately labeled, sold in a controlled environment and kept away from kids.”
“SB 970 establishes a regulatory framework for adult use of marijuana through a structured license application process,” said Rouse. “This bill prioritizes public safety and creating a well regulated marketplace that keeps adult products out of the hands of kids.”
Virginia Weed Legalization Bills Face Likely Veto
The bills now head to the governor’s desk, where they face a likely veto from Youngkin, who has indicated he will not sign legislation to legalize retail cannabis sales. When asked by Virginia Public Media late last year if Youngkin would veto a cannabis retail sales bill, Christian Martinez, a spokesperson for the governor, said, “I think you can cite the fact that time and time again he has been very clear on that.”
Cannabis policy reform advocates, however, say Youngkin’s steps are not in line with state residents’ views on marijuana.
“Governor Youngkin’s opposition to these pragmatic measures is completely out of step with Virginians,” JM Pedini, development director for the advocacy group NORML and executive director for Virginia NORML, told Marijuana Moment on Wednesday. “Continuing to cede control of the commonwealth’s marijuana market to unregulated, illicit operators poses substantial health risks for both lawful adult consumers and youth alike.”
“Taking marijuana off the street corner and out of the corner store is a public safety priority, not a political agenda,” Pedini continued. “The governor’s head-in-the-sand approach to cannabis policy endangers the health and safety of his constituents.”
“}]] The Virginia legislature has passed legislation to legalize recreational cannabis sales, sending the proposal to the desk of Gov. Glenn Youngkin. Read More
